LAKELAND, Fla. >> It was an odd sight.

Tigers’ equipment manager Dan Ross wheeled a cart over to Matt Manning’s locker and the two of them proceeded to empty the contents of his locker into the cart.

Then the two of them exited the big-league clubhouse, taking Manning’s gear down the hall to the minor-league clubhouse.

That’s how sudden these things happen.

Manning, the former first-round pick, was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday morning along with right-hander Tyler Mattison, who is still rehabbing after Tommy John surgery.

“It got to the point where we’d already made the decision that he’s not going to make the team from the onset,” manager AJ Hinch said. “Once you do that, you owe it to the player to tell them. That’s why we called him in today and told him.”

It’s been a tough couple of years for Manning. He lost out on the final rotation spot last season, but pitched well enough to get called up for five spot starts early in the season.

But he spent the last 4.5 months of the season grinding in Triple A, missing six weeks with a lat strain.

“Last year, his stuff was up and his performance was OK,” Hinch said. “All he really gave up was the long ball, but he didn’t make the team. But he found himself in New York pitching against the Mets in the first week.”

Different story this spring.

The 27-year-old Manning came to camp as a dark horse entry in a crowded rotation battle and struggled to find consistent command. In three games, he was tagged for eight runs and 10 hits (two homers) and, more to the point, he walked eight in just six innings.

“We talked about his pitch usage and getting himself to trust his stuff in the zone, finding the right breaking ball and using his split more,” Hinch said. “It’s a combination of things, but he’s just a small adjustment away from really helping us.”

Hinch said he expects Manning will come over and pitch in a big-league spring game later this month. For now, he will be working on the adjustments with director pitching Gabe Ribas and Triple-A pitching coach Doug Bochtler.

“He has tremendous stuff,” Hinch said. “He’s a great athlete. … But it’s just little subtle adjustments for him. He’s not far off. I know the spring performance wasn’t his best but like we always say, it’s not all about spring. It’s about tying it all together. It’s an important year for him and for us and I truly believe he’s going to pitch in the big leagues and maybe relatively soon.”

The Tigers on Sunday also transferred injury right-hander Ricky Vanasco (hip) to the minor-league camp.

There are 54 players in camp, including three pitchers — Sawyer Gipson-Long, Jose Urquidy and Alex Lange — on the 60-day injured list.