DETROIT -- Veteran catcher Brayan Pena is working young players at the Detroit Tigers facility in Lakeland, Fla., but he hasn't completely closed the door on his playing career.
Pena, 36, was in Tigers camp as a player this spring. He has not played regularly in the big leagues since 2015 and was expected to eventually transition to a coaching career.
The Tigers assigned veteran catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to Triple-A Toledo this week, leaving Pena without a spot.
If Pena doesn't get an opportunity in another organization, manager Ron Gardenhire said he would work with players in extended spring training and then be part of the team's Gulf Coast League staff.