When Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Tuesday that right-handed reliever Joe Jimenez was an "extreme long shot" to make the team's Opening Day roster, some fans may have winced.
After all, Jimenez is easy to dream on, having blazed a path through the minor leagues with his heater.
But Jimenez is only 22 and has scant experience above Double-A. The Tigers would like him to keep working on his secondary (i.e, non-fastball) pitches.
Still Ausmus said he's been impressed with Jimene'z work ethic, and there's no argument that he's positioned himself well for a call-up at some point in 2017.