Gonzalez trade may keep Worth off roster

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Danny Worth has been through too many Spring Training battles and disappointing endings, he cautioned last week, to get his hopes up about an Opening Day roster spot. The Tigers' trade for Alex Gonzalez on Monday might well prove to be the latest example why.

Until the deal, Worth was in a battle with Hernan Perez for a timeshare at shortstop with Andrew Romine. Gonzalez's arrival likely makes the battle moot. Like Worth and Perez, Gonzalez bats right-handed, likely leaving Romine with the big club to share starts.

Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski chose his words carefully when asked about Worth's status after the trade.

"I don't really want to get into any other individual players at this time," Dombrowski said. "We haven't really talked to anybody."

Worth is out of Minor League options, but as a non-roster player, the Tigers don't need to option him to send him to Triple-A Toledo. Barring a major surprise, it would appear Worth's fourth straight solid spring -- he's batting .302 (13-for-43) with five doubles, a home run and 10 RBIs -- will land him back at Triple-A Toledo.

"He's had a solid spring," Dombrowski said.