ALI SANCHEZ

Three infielders were among the eight former Detroit Tigers players finding new homes during the holidays. Utility man Willi Castro signed a minor-league deal with the Minnesota Twins last week. Another utility man, Niko Goodrum, agreed to a minor-league deal with the Boston Red Sox before Christmas. Shortstop Sergio Alcantara, 26, signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs, his second stint in that organization. He was traded to the Cardinals for cash considerations before the 2021 season.

The Tigers claimed catcher Michael Papierski off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. The Tigers had claimed Sanchez off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals back in June. Papierski was claimed off waivers by the Reds in June. The Tigers have two other catchers on the roster entering the 2023 season: Eric Haase and Jake Rogers. TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (40)Left-handed pitchers (6): Tyler Alexander, Andrew Chafin, Daniel Norris, Eduardo Rodriguez, Gregory Soto, Joey Wentz.

When the Detroit Tigers picked up Ali Sanchez off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals, it gave the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens four catchers on their roster. Hinch said organizations can never have enough catching depth, the Mud Hens decided that three would be more than sufficient. The Tigers dealt Ryan Lavarnway to the Miami Marlins for a nominal cash amount on Tuesday, reuniting the veteran catcher with one of his many former organizations. The Tigers now have three catchers in Toledo: Sanchez, Dustin Garneau and Brady Policelli. Only Sanchez is on the 40-man roster, although Garneau began the season on the Major League roster when the Tigers were using three catchers at the big-league level.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers have claimed catcher Ali Sanchez off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals. The Tigers have 39 players on their 40-man roster, even after the addition of Sanchez and outfielder Riley Greene. TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (39)Players in bold are on the active rosterLeft-handed pitchers (6): Tyler Alexander, Andrew Chafin, Sam Howard, Tarik Skubal, Gregory Soto, Joey Wentz. Left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez does not earn a salary or count against the 40-man roster while on the restricted list. Catcher Jake Rogers (right elbow sprain); and right-handed pitchers Jose Cisnero (right shoulder sprain), Kyle Funkhouser (right shoulder strain), Casey Mize (right elbow sprain) and Spencer Turnbull (right elbow sprain) are on the 60-day injured list, which removes them from the 40-man roster.

Adam Wainwright pitched seven innings of one-hit ball, Nolan Arenado hit a three-run shot and finished with five RBIs, and the Cardinals beat the Royals 10-0 to take their four-game season series.