Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers third baseman Isaac Paredes and catcher Jake Rogers, each competing for spots on the Opening Day roster, were cut from MLB spring training and optioned to Triple-A Toledo, the team announced Thursday. There are 37 players remaining in big-league camp with seven days until Opening Day on April 1 against the

LAKELAND, Fla. — As the Detroit Tigers prepare to leave spring training, manager AJ Hinch is still searching for a first baseman. Beyond offensive production, he needs someone with strong defensive instincts. Here are the candidates for Hinch’s top option at the position: Renato Nunez? No way. Harold Castro? Maybe. Jeimer Candelario? Doable, but he is better at

LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-1, on Wednesday at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, improving to 10-11 in Grapefruit League play. What happened First baseman Miguel Cabrera captured the hearts of the crowd in the second inning, when he fielded a ground ball from Darick Hall and immediately charged

LAKELAND, Fla. — Grayson Greiner seems to be pulling away from the pack. The 28-year-old entered spring training in a battle for the backup catcher job, competing against Jake Rogers, Dustin Garneau and Eric Haase. After a few weeks, it became clear the Detroit Tigers were leaning toward putting Greiner or Rogers on the 26-man roster. Since

LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers were forced to make a decision Wednesday about right-hander Julio Teheran: Give him a roster spot or let him walk. The former two-time All-Star isn’t going anywhere. The Tigers added Teheran to the 40-man roster, guaranteeing him a spot on the 26-man Opening Day roster, manager AJ Hinch announced Wednesday. Teheran

On the other side of the world, Cam Gibson found his swing, not to mention the best hamburger of his life. “A Mary’s burger — incredible,” said Gibson, a Detroit Tigers minor leaguer. So let’s focus on that burger. Because that burger leads to baseball in this story from down under. “It’s this place called

LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers tied the New York Yankees, 5-5, on Tuesday at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, remaining 9-11 in Grapefruit League play. What happened Left-hander Tarik Skubal started and went into the fifth inning, but gave up a leadoff walk. That’s when manager AJ Hinch pulled him after 82 pitches (just 42 strikes).

Show Caption Hide Caption Why Detroit Tigers’ AJ Hinch picked Matthew Boyd as Opening Day starter Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch talks Monday, March 22, 2021, about making Matthew Boyd his Opening Day starter. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press Grapefruit League: Detroit Tigers (9-11) vs. New York Yankees (13-7) When: 1:05 p.m. Tuesday. Where: Publix

Show Caption Hide Caption Detroit Tigers’ Julio Teheran explains back tightness: ‘Nothing to worry about’ Detroit Tigers right-hander Julio Teheran checks in Monday, March 22, 2021, following his start against the Toronto Blue Jays in spring training. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers scheduled a meeting, led by manager AJ

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Matt Manning entered spring training with the goal of winning a spot in the starting rotation. Last week, the Detroit Tigers decided to cut him from major-league camp, eliminating any chance of him opening the season in the majors. This was planned. The 23-year-old prospect, ranked by MLB Pipeline at No. 5 in the

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Last week, Detroit Tigers left-hander Matthew Boyd got called into his manager’s office. AJ Hinch wanted to talk about the pitching schedule for the remainder of spring training. And then, Hinch made an unexpected comment: “That should line you up for Opening Day.” On Monday, Hinch publicly announced Boyd as the Opening Day

LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch asked right-hander Michael Fulmer, a starter for all 85 of his career MLB games, what he thought about pitching out of the bullpen for Sunday’s spring training game. Fulmer didn’t hesitate. Yet he admits the conversation was a “swift kick in the ass” to improve. FOR OPENERS: Tigers’

DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers lost to the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-3, on Monday at TD Ballpark, falling to 9-11 in Grapefruit League play.  What happened Trying to put the finishing touches on securing a roster spot, right-hander Julio Teheran started and made 30 pitches (21 strikes) across two innings. He departed early for precautionary reasons involved

LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers left-hander Matthew Boyd is scheduled to be the Opening Day starter, manager AJ Hinch announced Monday. The Tigers begin the 2021 season April 1 against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. This is the 30-year-old’s second consecutive Opening Day start. “He’s had success,” Hinch said last week. “He’s also had

Who came along in a puff of smoke? That’s a line from a 1955 Broadway musical — “Damn Yankees” — and it introduces “Shoeless Joe Hardy,” a fictional member of the non-fictional Washington Senators who (65-year-old spoiler alert!) makes a deal with the devil to beat the Yankees … which is something we might consider

LAKELAND, Fla. — Welcome to the beginning of spring training’s end. The Detroit Tigers, led by manager AJ Hinch, are bracing for tough decisions about numerous players with only nine days remaining in camp. With Opening Day scheduled for April 1 against the Cleveland Indians in Comerica Park, there isn’t much time left to sort out the 26-man

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Detroit Tigers left-hander Tyler Alexander didn’t come to spring training expecting make to the Opening Day roster. The new face of the organization — manager AJ Hinch — has no loyalties. With two years of MLB experience, the 26-year-old is determined to get to Comerica Park. But Alexander understands he must earn his spot with

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-3, on Sunday at BayCare Ballpark, improving to 9-10 in Grapefruit League play. What happened Right-hander Matt Manning — ranked as the Tigers’ No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline — started and completed two innings. He gave up two runs on three hits and two walks, with two

Show Caption Hide Caption Detroit Tigers prospect Casey Mize ‘learned a lot’ in fourth spring training game Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize talks after making his fourth appearance in spring training Friday, March 19, 2021, against the Blue Jays. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press Detroit Tigers vs. Philadelphia Phillies When: 1:05 p.m.  Where: BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater,

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch is treading murky waters as he tries to explain what’s happening with right-hander Spencer Turnbull, once a potential Opening Day starter. He can’t say too much. Without the player’s consent, teams cannot announce the details of someone missing time for COVID-19 reasons. Turnbull is away from the team’s