Cleveland – The Detroit Tigers are carrying four bench players – two outfielders (JaCoby Jones and Victor Reyes), a super utility guy (Niko Goodrum) and a catcher-first baseman (John Hicks).
That configuration presents some inherent restrictions for a manager. For example, Ron Gardenhire is reluctant to use Hicks and catcher James McCann in the same game because there is no third catcher.
There have been a couple of situations already this year when he wanted to use Hicks to pinch-hit against a left-handed pitcher but held off.
“One of my biggest fears in the game is not having a third catcher,” Gardenhire said.