Lugo signed a contract Monday with the Guadalajara Mariachis of the Mexican League.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo will continue his career outside of affiliated ball after he elected free agency in November, just over two months after the Tigers booted him from the 40-man roster. The Mexican League season isn't scheduled to get underway until the summer, so Lugo is unlikely to resurface in the majors in 2021 even if he plays well for the Guadalajara club. The 26-year-old infielder failed to impress in multiple stints at the big-league level with Detroit over the past three seasons, slashing a collective .236/.270/.358 with seven home runs in 400 career plate appearances.

Lugo cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Tigers' alternate training site Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo was designated for assignment Monday after he failed to generate much production with the major-league club. He was unable to find another spot on a 40-man roster via waivers and will remain in the organization at the team's secondary site. The 25-year-old hit .200 with three runs and one RBI over nine games to begin the season.

The Tigers designated Lugo for assignment Monday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The main prize for Detroit in the July 2017 trade that sent J.D. Martinez to the Diamondbacks, Lugo never emerged as the everyday player the Tigers hoped he would develop into when they acquired him. Over parts of three seasons in the majors, Lugo slashed .236/.270/.358 (62 wRC+) in 400 plate appearances and didn't show an ability to play reliable defense anywhere other than third base. With younger prospects in Willi Castro and Isaac Paredes both surpassing him in the organizational pecking order at the hot corner, Lugo was ultimately deemed an expendable piece. If he goes unclaimed off waivers or isn't dealt to another club, Lugo will remain in the organization and report to the Tigers' alternate training site.

Lugo is starting at third base and batting seventh in Tuesday's game against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo hasn't played a ton so far this season, as he's only logged one start and six at-bats. Regular third baseman Jeimer Candelario is shifting over to first base Tuesday, with C.J. Cron (knee) getting placed on the 10-day injured list earlier in the day. Lugo could see more regular time while Cron is out, though Harold Castro is also a candidate to see time at the hot corner.

Lugo is a member of the Tigers' 30-man Opening Day roster.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo had been on the roster bubble during spring training and summer camp, but the Tigers will keep him around for now. The 25-year-old is still likely behind Jeimer Candelario for playing time at third base and doesn't figure to make a huge fantasy impact in 2020.

Lugo is a part of the Tigers' 60-man player pool this season, but he's facing competition from Jeimer Candelario, Isaac Paredes and rookie Spencer Torkelson in camp.

EDGE Analysis

Candelario is the presumptive starter at third base, while Paredes and Torkelson are key pieces of the team's future. All of this could leave Lugo as the odd man out, and it's possible 2020 is his last year in Detroit. He'll need to perform well and hope Candelario slips up to earn more playing time.

Lugo and fellow third baseman Jeimer Candelario could both make the Tigers' Opening Day roster if teams get to keep more than 26 players, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Candelario is considered the favorite to snag the starting third base job when the regular season is able to start. With a 26-man roster, this would very likely have resulted in Lugo being sent to waivers, but it is expected that teams will get to keep as many as 30 players to begin the year. The extra roster spots could keep Lugo at the MLB level, though the Tigers may still opt for someone with more defensive versatility to fill one of the new reserve roles. If Lugo does make the team, he could push Candelario for playing time if the latter struggles.

Lugo could be waived if he loses the third base competition to Jeimer Candelario, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Candelario is considered the favorite to start at third when the 2020 regular season is able to begin, which could push Lugo onto another team. The Tigers may opt for a more versatile reserve player than Lugo, and because he is out of options, he'd have to pass through waivers before the club could send him to Triple-A Toledo. Lugo posted a middling .245/.271/.381 slash line in 2019 and doesn't figure to make much of an impact this year, though at just 25 years old, there is room for some growth.

Lugo won't be available for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves due to back tightness, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Tigers are describing his absence as precautionary, so Lugo can be viewed as day-to-day for now. The 25-year-old has been battling Jeimer Candelario for Detroit's top job at third base this spring.

Lugo is batting just .083 through seven spring training games.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo got his first hit in 12 Grapefruit League at-bats Sunday against the Yankees. It's a rough start for the 25-year-old, who is competing with Jeimer Candelario for the everyday job at third base. Lugo likely has a leg up after finishing 2019 as the primary third baseman, but spring scuffles could open the door for Candelario to seize a larger role.