Players from the Detroit Tigers would walk into a tiny kitchen and receive their food on a paper plate or in a carryout box. There were only a few tables available, so if the tables were already occupied, the players would eat in the clubhouse. Sometimes, they chowed down while hunched over and looking into their lockers.
That was the old way of treating the players.
The new way — thanks to president of baseball operations Scott Harris’ commitment to elevating the player experience — is highlighted by a fully renovated clubhouse and brand-new kitchen. The kitchen, in particular, wowed the players and coaches Thursday morning when the Tigers returned to Comerica Park for the first time since the 2022 season.
“The kitchen is so sick,” said left-hander Tarik Skubal, a 26-year-old rehabbing from flexor tendon surgery. “You guys can’t go in there? What I’m going to say is not going to do it service. It’s probably the nicest kitchen I’ve ever been in. There were four people cooking in there this morning.”
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Other players shared a similar message about the kitchen.
Center fielder Riley Greene, a 22-year-old in his second season with the Tigers: “Oh my gosh, the kitchen is incredible. That’s my favorite part. Walk in there, eat some food. I feel like we’re in space in this place.”
Catcher Eric Haase, a 30-year-old in his fourth season with the Tigers: “I know where I am at the complex, but everything is completely different. The food room is fantastic. The layout is great with tons of places to sit. Honestly, I kind of forgot about all this stuff. I was just trying to come in and get my routine, and it’s just one thing after another. It’s completely different.”
The weight room isn’t any bigger, but a couple players said it feels bigger because the Tigers dumped the equipment that they weren’t using to optimize the space. The clubhouse, where the players spent most of their time, has been modernized — from the sleek gray chairs in front of lockers to televisions mounted into the walls — but still includes a classic ping-pong table in the back of the room.
The fresh paint on the walls caught the attention of the players.
The new clubhouse is brighter than the old clubhouse.
“I feel awake in here,” Skubal said.
“Everything stands out,” Greene said. “We walked into here to a darker room. Now, we have brighter colors with white on the walls everywhere (with navy blue). I feel like the energy is higher just walking in here.”
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The entrance into the clubhouse tells a story about the franchise. Historical information about players like Ty Cobb and Al Kaline, all the way to current player Miguel Cabrera, is painted on the walls. There’s a spot dedicated to Ernie Harwell joining the Tigers as a broadcaster in 1960.
All these things only begin to explain the changes.
It’s incredible.
“I almost slept here,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “The work that’s been done by a lot of people, and the vision from ownership down, is remarkable. We pulled it off in a really short period of time. … It backs up everything that’s been said leading up to today, and the players will benefit.”
Watching the Mud Hens
Entering Saturday, the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens are seven games into their season. A handful of noteworthy players with experience in the big leagues are off to impressive starts.
Outfielder Akil Baddoo, left-handed hitter: 9-for-28 (.321) with two doubles, one triple, one home run, six walks and five strikeouts in seven games. (He was called up to the majors on Saturday afternoon after Austin Meadows went on the 10-day IL with anxiety.) Infielder Tyler Nevin, right-handed hitter: 13-for-22 (.591) with three doubles, one triple, one homer, one walk and one strikeout in six games. Infielder Andy Ibañez, right-handed hitter: .238 (5-for-21) with two homers, four walks and seven strikeouts in seven games.
“We’re all paying attention to what’s going on throughout the organization, but specifically Triple-A to the big leagues gets looked at all the time. The games are on TV. We get a lot of opportunity to see these guys play. We’re going to need a lot of contributions.”
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The three prospects — infielder Justyn-Henry Malloy, infielder Andre Lipcius and outfielder Parker Meadows — are holding their own. Malloy is hitting .318 with nine walks and six strikeouts; Lipcius is hitting .214 with one homer, two walks and nine strikeouts; Meadows is hitting .261 with one homer, five walks and five strikeouts.
Relievers Brendan White, Aneurys Zabala and Miguel Díaz look sharp coming out of the Mud Hens’ bullpen. White has tossed four scoreless innings, while Zabala, who hits triple digits with his fastball, has posted three scoreless innings.
“Seven games here, and only a couple games into Triple-A, will be kept in perspective, as well,” Hinch said. “We feel like we have a lot of depth. You have to use it for multiple reasons throughout the year. The better guys play, the more pressure they can put on any of the decision makers, and that’s a good thing.”
Spencer Turnbull’s gadget
Right-hander Spencer Turnbull entered the clubhouse Saturday pushing a hypoxic air machine on wheels. He uses the device, which extracts oxygen from the air to simulate altitude, while riding a stationary bike.
Turnbull planned to keep the hypoxic generator in his house, but after his second start of the season, he decided he would rather integrate the gadget into his postgame routine at the ballpark.
He allowed five runs across 5⅔ innings in Thursday’s 6-3 loss.
No new information
The Tigers released their latest medical update, which didn’t have any new information about right-hander Beau Brieske. The 25-year-old has been on the injured list since the beginning of the season with right upper arm discomfortable.
“I think there’s one more doctor to be seen, from what I understand,” Hinch said. “We’ll pile up all the opinions together. I think we’re nearing the end of the doctor option, which is good.”
Right-handed starter Michael Lorenzen (left groin strain) pitched for Triple-A Toledo on Saturday in a rehab assignment. The 31-year-old allowed four runs on two hits and three walks with two strikeouts across 2⅓ innings, throwing 31 of 56 pitches for strikes. He could need another start with the Mud Hens.
Righty reliever Freddy Pacheco (right elbow sprain) started a throwing progression earlier this week. The Tigers claimed him off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals in mid-March and placed him on the 60-day injured list. Pacheco, if he gets healthy and stays healthy, could be a valuable addition to the bullpen later this season.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.