Manning has been developing a new, sharp breaking ball, which could be classed as either a slider or a cutter, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 23-year-old righty already had quite a high ceiling, and the existence of a third offspeed pitch to pair with his plus curveball and above-average changeup could potentially push it even higher. It's of course no guarantee the pitch works as well as Manning hopes, however, and he'll come with question marks this season even if it does, as he could have been on a path to debut last year but was shut down with a strained right forearm. While he feels 100 percent now, it's certainly possible the issue returns.

Manning is likely to start the season in the minors according to executive vice president of baseball operations Al Avila, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Tigers protected the right-hander from the Rule 5 draft in November by placing him on the 40-man roster. While a lot of plans can evolve leading up to and during spring training, Manning currently appears to be a long shot to break camp with the big club. With that being said, the 22-year-old figures to have a solid chance of making his major-league debut at some point in 2021.

Manning had his contract selected by the Tigers on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 22-year-old is the Tigers' top pitching prospect, so it's not much of a surprise the organization opted to protect him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Manning made 24 starts at Double-A Erie in 2019 and had a 2.56 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 148:38 K:BB over 133.2 innings and spent the 2020 campaign at the alternate training site before being shut down in late August with a forearm strain. The right-hander shouldn't have any issues being ready for spring training and could be competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Manning said Tuesday that he feels 100 percent after recovering from a minor forearm issue over the summer, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manning said that his forearm strain would have only cost him a few weeks of minor-league action during a normal season. It wound up costing him the chance to make his big-league debut but seems unlikely to be a long-term problem. He's been able to play catch and expects to be at full speed by spring training.

Manning has been shut down for the remainder of the season with a right forearm strain, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

General manager Al Avila described the injury as a "slight" strain, per Evan Woodbery of MLive.com, and the Tigers felt the best thing to do would be to shut the prospect down for the rest of the abbreviated 2020 season. The hope is that Manning will be able to avoid surgery, though whether he's able to do so will likely depend on how his forearm responds to rest and non-surgical methods of treatment.

General manager Al Avila said Manning needs to continue developing his command, control and make mechanical tweaks at the Tigers' alternate training site, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. "It's a little bit longer with him now," Avila said Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal got the call Monday, but Manning was surprisingly not brought up alongside the Tigers' other top pitching prospects. Avila expressed optimism that Manning and other prospects wouldn't be too far behind the ones called up early this week, but the fact that we know Mize and Skubal are up and confirmed as starters makes them preferable adds in redraft leagues over Manning.

Manning was reassigned to the Tigers' alternate training site Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Manning and fellow top pitching prospect Casey Mize were both sent to the Tigers' alternate camp in Toledo. If there was a minor league season in 2020, Manning would have likely pitched at Triple-A and been in line for a promotion to the majors at some point. That could still happen this summer, but the 22-year-old won't be on Detroit's Opening Day roster.

Manning will be a part of the Tigers' 60-man player pool this season.

EDGE Analysis

Manning is not on the 40-man roster, but this move comes as little surprise, as many MLB teams are electing to add top prospects to their 60-man squads for developmental reasons. The 22-year-old could make his MLB debut at some point this season after a dominant 2019 at the Double-A level.

Manning will likely be on the Tigers' 20-man taxi squad when the regular season gets underway, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

In addition to their normal 40-man rosters, MLB teams will use 20-player taxi squads for further depth during the abbreviated season. And with the minor league season unlikely to happen, taxi squads will also undoubtedly be used to get work for top prospects. Manning certainly fits the bill as a top prospect, so expect the Tigers to put him on their taxi squad. The 22-year-old will use the opportunity to continue his development, and he could find himself in the majors at some point this year.

Manning might not make his MLB debut this season due to the suspension of play, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manning wasn't a lock to make his MLB debut this year even if the season started on time, but the Tigers might be even more reluctant to promote their prized righty given the current circumstances. The 22-year-old probably needed some solid showings at Triple-A to get the call, and if he's unable to do that, the team could simply hit the pause button until 2021.