Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. — Looking back, Marwin Gonzalez is thankful for the transformation that reshaped his career. In a backup role with the Houston Astros, he played a career-high 103 games in the 2014 season, his third year in the majors. At the time, Gonzalez considered himself a shortstop. Then, manager AJ Hinch showed up. “He was the one

Finally? Finally. Finally. Yes, finally, we’ll get baseball that counts, beginning Thursday. (OK, OK, we’ve got a couple more spring training games today and tomorrow, but who’s counting?) Cleveland will be in town — they’re lacking Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco, Carlos Santana, Trevor Bauer and their old nickname (more or less), but Shane Bieber is

TAMPA, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers defeated the New York Yankees, 5-2, on Monday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, improving to 13-11 in Grapefruit League play. What happened The Tigers scored their five runs on six hits and two walks. They struck out 13 times. Right-hander Jose Urena made his final spring start and pitched into the fifth inning.

TAMPA, Fla. — In a surprising move, Detroit Tigers first baseman Renato Nunez is staying with the organization, despite not getting cut Friday from consideration to make the 26-man Opening Day roster. The slugger turns 27 next week and will report to Toledo. He is be stationed set to compete at the alternate training site in April before Triple-A

Show Caption Hide Caption Why Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch decided to keep Akil Baddoo, Harold Castro Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch talks Saturday, March 27, 2021, about his Opening Day roster decisions. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press TAMPA, Fla. — Detroit Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter tested positive for COVID-19 and will be away from

The COVID-19 pandemic has dominated almost every aspect of American life for the last 12 months. And the sports scene around these parts has been no different. The Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers, along with Michigan and Michigan State, have all changed how they work, travel and operate on a

LAKELAND, Fla. — The Houston Astros craved a championship. General manager Jeff Luhnow — fired more than two years later, along with future Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch, for his role in the well-documented sign-stealing scandal — needed right-hander Justin Verlander to make a run at the franchise’s first World Series title. On Aug. 31, 2017, the Astros acquired Verlander

DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers tied the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-4, on Sunday at TD Ballpark, remaining at 12-11 in Grapefruit League play. What happened Left-hander Tarik Skubal made his final start before the regular season and looked shaky in the first inning, issuing a walk and single to his first two batters. Then,

LAKELAND, Fla. — About a dozen Detroit Tigers fans spread across the grass beyond the outfield fence, waiting for a home run ball. “Here one comes!” somebody said, as a baseball came screaming through the air as the Tigers took batting practice. “I got it!” “Watch out for the tree!” Michela Deschene, 43, of Lakeland,

LAKELAND, Fla. — The sun beats down on Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers as he walks alone in New Moore, Texas. There isn’t a traffic light in this town, only a lonely stop sign to direct vehicles for 15 locals. His grandmother used to own a grocery store — Rogers Grocery — on the corner,

LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 9-8, on Saturday at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, improving to 12-11 in Grapefruit League play. What happened Right-hander Julio Teheran made his final start of the exhibition season. Recently added to the roster and starting rotation, the 30-year-old cruised through three innings. A

Fifteen days before Christmas, Akil Baddoo was at his childhood home, living in the basement at his parents’ house in Conyers, Georgia. The Rule 5 draft had started and the audio was being live streamed on MLB.com. “He and his dad were listening to it,” Akilah Baddoo, Akil’s mother, said. “I was working in my

LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers have filled out their 26-man Opening Day roster with 13 pitchers and 13 position players. Getting to this point, however, came with tough conversations Saturday morning. Manager AJ Hinch informed non-roster invitee Renato Nunez, a slugger who struggled defensively at first base, that he will not make the team. Also, former

LAKELAND, Fla. — Former Detroit Tigers closer Joe Jimenez has been optioned to Triple-A Toledo, the team announced Saturday. Because the Tigers had to remove a player from the bullpen after adding lefty Derek Holland, eliminating Jimenez should finalize the 2021 Opening Day pitching staff, with five starters and eight relievers. Manager AJ Hinch said

LAKELAND, Fla. — The running joke in the clubhouse starts with Detroit Tigers bench coach George Lombard. “They’re ducking George Lombard behind the scenes because they don’t want their shoulder tapped to come in and meet with me,” manager AJ Hinch said Friday. “They’re certainly wondering and curious. It’s really hard because we haven’t communicated

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-2, on Friday at LECOM Park, improving to 11-11 in Grapefruit League play. What happened Left-hander Matthew Boyd, the Opening Day starter, pitched into the fifth and sixth innings for the first time this spring. He was incredibly efficient, using 75 pitches (52 strikes) and

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize pitched masterfully Thursday night. And with a chip on his shoulder. “I wanted to make a good impression,” Mize said Thursday. “Because, you know, I needed to. This spring hasn’t been as good as I would have liked for it to be, so I knew I needed to

LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize is coming back to the major leagues, manager AJ Hinch announced Friday. Right-hander Michael Fulmer will make the team and pitch out of the bullpen. Also, left-hander Derek Holland is going to make the roster. Holland, a 12-year MLB veteran, has tossed eight scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts

DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers tied the Toronto Blue Jays, 3-3, on Thursday at TD Ballpark, remaining at 10-11 in Grapefruit League play. What happened Right-hander Casey Mize — pitching for spot in the starting rotation — struck out nine over four innings to open the game. The 24-year-old allowed two earned runs on five

Show Caption Hide Caption What Detroit Tigers’ Grayson Greiner likes about teammate Wilson Ramos Detroit Tigers catcher Grayson Greiner talks Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, about the first day of pitcher-catcher workouts in spring training. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press LAKELAND, Fla. — Jake Rogers is going to have to wait. Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch