TJ

Hopkins

Leonard was reportedly in the running for a bench spot with Detroit, but the club ultimately will send him down to Triple-A to start the season. The 23-year-old posted a .904 OPS in 40 games with Triple-A Toledo in 2023, so there’s likely a chance he gets an opportunity down the road barring an injury.

The 27-year-old outfielder had been designated for assignment earlier in the week, but he passed through waivers unclaimed and will remain with the Tigers. He’ll also stay in big league camp as a non-roster invitee, though his chances of cracking the Opening Day roster look very slim.

Hopkins was just claimed off waivers from the Giants on Tuesday. With the Gio Urshela signing turning Matt Vierling into more of an outfielder again, there didn’t seem to be a path for Hopkins to make the Tigers as a platoon guy against lefties.

Hopkins, 27, made his major league debut for the Reds last season, going 7-for-41 with no extra-base hits. It’s possible he’d be of use as a part-timer against lefties, but that’s probably his ceiling. He’ll probably have to beat out Akil Baddoo for a roster spot in order to make the team.

The righty-swinging Hopkins could have made some sense for a Giants team starting three left-handed-hitting outfielders, but he’s a low-ceiling guy with a pretty good chance of clearing waivers. The 27-year-old hit an impressive .308/.411/.514 with the Reds’ Triple-A club last season. His major league debut saw him bat .171/.227/.171 in 44 PA.

Hopkins heads to San Francisco as extra organizational outfield depth after being jettisoned last week from Cincinnati’s 40-man roster. The 26-year-old outfielder got into 25 games this past season for the Reds, hitting a lackluster .171 (7-for-41) with zero homers and one steal. He projects as a reserve outfielder moving forward.

Hopkins has been removed from Cincinnati’s 40-man roster to make room for newly-signed backstop Austin Wynns. The 26-year-old outfielder made his big league debut this past season, getting into 25 contests for the Reds. There’s a decent shot he passes through waivers unclaimed and remains with the organization heading into spring training.

With the return of Jake Fraley from the injured list — plus the additions of Hunter Renfroe and Harrison Bader — there simply wasn’t room on the active roster for Hopkins at the moment. He’ll bide his time at Triple-A until he’d called upon once more.

Hopkins returns to the majors after Jake Fraley landed on the injured list prior to Saturday’s game against the Nationals. He will likely see limited playing time as TJ Friedl and Stuart Fairchild will likely fill in as everyday players for Cincinnati.

Hopkins has been sent back to the upper minors with righty-masher Jake Fraley returning from the injured list. The 26-year-old outfielder tallied just four hits in 24 at-bats over 14 games in the majors since being called up back on June 3.