Four more outrighted from Tigers roster

The Tigers continued paring down their roster on Friday, outrighting left-hander Kyle Ryan, right-hander Myles Jaye, catcher Bryan Holaday and first baseman Efren Navarro to the Minor Leagues.

In a roster formality, designated hitter Victor Martinez was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list.

The moves leave the Tigers with 31 players on their 40-man roster heading into the offseason.

All four players who were outrighted can become free agents next week, either by declining an assignment or as six-year Minor League free agents.

Of the four, only Holaday was eligible for arbitration. He was added to the Tigers’ 40-man roster as a September call-up for catching depth after spending the summer at Triple-A Toledo. He went 7-for-29 with two doubles and two RBIs.

The Tigers could try to re-sign Holaday, who turns 30 later this month, to a minor-league contract.

Ryan went into Spring Training expected to fill a key lefty role in Detroit’s bullpen, but was optioned to Triple-A Toledo after just eight outings, allowing five runs on nine hits with seven walks over 5 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old southpaw spent the rest of the season with the Mud Hens, posting a 3–1 record and 4.96 ERA while allowing 55 hits and 27 walks over 45 1/3 innings.

Jaye, acquired from the Rangers in Spring Training of 2016, earned his first Major League opportunity in September. The 25-year-old righty allowed 17 earned runs on 18 hits over 12 2/3 innings with 10 walks and four strikeouts. He made two starts and three relief appearances.

Like Holaday, Navarro was a late-season add to the 40-man roster so he could become a September call-up for depth. The 31-year-old first baseman filled in for Miguel Cabrera and batted .230 (14-for-61) with two solo homers and two RBIs.

The Martinez move doesn’t necessarily mean he’s ready to play again next year after recurring heart issues ended his 2017 season early. The Tigers had to remove him from the disabled list at the start of the offseason regardless. General manager Al Avila said last month that the Tigers expect Martinez to be part of Spring Training.

“Victor said that he’s 100 percent committed to getting back in shape,” Avila said. “He told me he’s committed to coming back in Spring Training ready to go and having a really good, strong, productive season. That’s all I can go on.”