The kids made it.
        In a move that was reminiscent of 2006 when Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya made the team in spring training, rookies Rick Porcello and Ryan Perry were named to the Tigers’ pitching staff Wednesday morning as Jim Leyland readied his roster for Monday’s season opener in Toronto.
        “I think it’s exciting, I like their ability, I think they’re very talented individuals,” said Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski.
        Porcello, just 20 years old and less than two years removed from high school, joins a starting rotation that will also include Verlander, Edwin Jackson, Armando Galarraga, and Zach Miner.
        The hard-throwing 22-year-old Perry, last summer’s No. 1 draft pick with just 14 professional games under his belt, will begin the season in the bullpen along with Brandon Lyon, Fernando Rodney, Bobby Seay, Nate Robertson, Juan Rincon, and Eddie Bonine. Robertson and Bonine were both starters last year.
        The chances of both Porcello and Perry making the team this spring were enhanced by the fact that Jeremy Bonderman and Joel Zumaya are on the disabled list and not yet ready to pitch. Both are expected back, possibly before the end of April.
        Porcello was 0-1 with a 2.63 ERA in five games this spring, the lowest exhibition ERA of any Tigers’ starter other than Verlander.
        Perry was 1-1 with a 0.84 ERA in nine appearances. Of those pitchers who made the team, only Rincon, who is unscored-upon, and Bonine (0.63) pitched better.
        In announcing the moves Wednesday,  Dombrowski shied away from comparisons between this spring’s surprises, Porcello and Perry, and the tandem of Verlander and Zumaya in 2006.
        “I wouldn’t put that on any young guys,” Dombrowski said. “Verlander and Zumaya were outstanding young players who gave us a shot in the arm.”
        The Tigers optioned utility man Ryan Raburn and reliever Clay Rapada to Toledo on Wednesday, reassigned pitcher Scott Williams and reserve catcher Dane Sandinha to minor league camp and placed Mike Hessman on waivers for the purpose of giving him his release.
        That leaves them with one more cut to be made before Sunday’s 3 p.m. roster deadline.
        In all likelihood, left handed hitter Jeff Larish will make the team over Brent Cleven.