Detroit Tigers' Renato Nunez hungry to become 'everyday first baseman' and return to MLB
Renato Nunez had a choice to make.
The Detroit Tigers informed him toward the end of spring training that he wouldn't make the Opening Day roster. Because the 27-year-old had an opt-out in his minor-league contract, he checked to see if there were other offers on the table.
There were "a couple of teams" interested, Nunez said Saturday, but those potential deals were the same as what he already had in Detroit — a minor-league contract. Regardless of where he ended up, he wasn't going to make an initial 26-man roster.
Nunez decided to stay with the Tigers.
"When I was here in spring training, I liked the team," said Nunez, a member of the five-player taxi squad for the team's road trip. "I liked the coaching staff and the players we have. I'm excited to stay here, and I really like this place. Hopefully, I'll be here (in the majors) sooner than later."
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The main reason why Nunez decided to stay with the Tigers was the open starting position at first base. Entering Sunday, three players have started at first base: Miguel Cabrera (four games), Jonathan Schoop (three) and Harold Castro (one).
"I really want to become an everyday first baseman," Nunez said. "That's something I have on my mind. That's my goal, and that's what I've been working on. Working a lot on my defense, and I want to feel a lot more comfortable at first base than I was in spring training."
Without a solidified first baseman, Nunez has a strong chance of sliding into the lineup. The Tigers were 17th in the majors with eight home runs, 18th with 24 RBIs and 19th with a .368 slugging percentage heading into Saturday's game.
Nunez recorded 43 homers and 121 RBIs (and a .247 batting average) in 203 games with the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 and 2020. In spring training, he went 6-for-32 (.188) with one homer, three RBIs, zero walks and 13 strikeouts.
If Nunez can tap into what he displayed in Baltimore and showcase improved defense at the alternate training site in Toledo, he could be on the fast track to Comerica Park.
But he needs to limit strikeouts and, most importantly, become reliable defensively.
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Since joining the taxi squad for the 10-game road trip, Nunez has returned to working with first base coach Ramon Santiago and third base coach Chip Hale. He trained under their watch throughout spring training, as well.
"I know that's why he stuck with us," Hinch said Saturday. "He thinks he has an opportunity, and we think he has an opportunity, to help us at that position at some point. He hasn't pouted. He hasn't complained. He's putting in work and waiting for an opportunity to join our club.
"Rewarding that kind of mindset and that veteran presence is an easy call for us to bring him as a taxi squad member. If it wasn't for his work and his attitude, then we wouldn't want him here. But he's been very impressive in what we think he needs to do to get better."
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Nunez has logged 293 career games with the Oakland Athletics (2016-17), Texas Rangers (2018) and Orioles (2018-20). The Orioles cut him in November for the same reason the Tigers did this spring: He struggles defensively.
Still, Nunez said he has "high" confidence that he will return to the majors in 2021.
"Obviously, I want to put my uniform on, and I want to go out there to play," Nunez said. "At the same time, I have to make adjustments and keep working on my game. I want to be playing games, so we'll see, man. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to play here."
Turnbull throws in South Bend
Right-hander Spencer Turnbull made 10 pitches Saturday for the Tigers in an alternate training site game against the Chicago Cubs organization in South Bend. Because inclement weather entered the area, Hinch said he was forced to finish his work — an additional three or four innings — at an indoor facility.
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"Not an ideal setup for him to get his work in," Hinch said. "We were really happy that he was going to get to face outside competition in the closest to a real-game environment. The rain didn't cooperate. He got his physical work in. But he will need to do that again, hopefully outside, hopefully with better weather."
Turnbull is scheduled to pitch again in five or six days at the alternate training site.
Evan Petzold is a sports reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Renato Nunez hungry to become 'everyday first baseman'
