Detroit Free Press

The weather is certainly winter-like this week in Detroit, but we have two things to remind us that it’s spring once again: The Detroit Tigers opening the 2023 season against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday afternoon and, of course, the annual installments of the Free Press’ burning questions heading in to the season. Last season

LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch sat in the dugout before a spring training game and received a question from a reporter about catcher Jake Rogers. Three sentences in, Rogers coincidentally walked down the stairs and into the dugout. “Oh gosh, you walk by as I’m talking about you,” Hinch said. Rogers smiled and

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — There was a time when Jeimer Candelario, the third-best third baseman in baseball across the 2020-21 seasons, looked like a potential long-term player for the Detroit Tigers. His 5.8 fWAR ranked third behind José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians) and Manny Machado (San Diego Padres) in those two seasons. He hit nearly .300

The Detroit Tigers’ walk-off victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday had a bit of a bittersweet tinge, and not just because now the games will actually count, making it a lot harder to shrug off the eventual blown saves, bases-loaded strikeouts and (new to this year!) pitch-clock violations that inevitably pop up during

LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers acquired former Central Michigan infielder Zach McKinstry in a trade with the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right-handed pitcher Carlos Guzman. The Tigers and Cubs completed the trade Monday, three days before Opening Day. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Tigers placed right-handed reliever Freddy Pacheco on the

It’s a new era for the Detroit Tigers. They open the 2023 MLB season with a new regime, led by president of baseball operations Scott Harris, who replaces fired general manager Al Avila. They’re coming off a disappointing 66-96 season, finishing fourth place in the AL Central in a season when many thought they could

LAKELAND, Fla. — In the sixth round of roster cuts, the Detroit Tigers optioned outfielder Akil Baddoo and infielder Zack Short to Triple-A Toledo. Second baseman César Hernández, a 10-year MLB veteran, was one of seven players reassigned to minor-league camp. The other players reassigned: right-handed pitchers Trevor Rosenthal and Matt Wisler, left-handed pitcher Jace Fry,

Apple Podcasts | Spotify • Hosts: Mark Gorosh (@sportz5176) and Evan Petzold (@evanpetzold) • Editor: Robin Chan • Executive producers: Anjanette Delgado, Kirkland Crawford • Email: epetzold@freepress.com On this episode: With Opening Day finally here this week, the guys break down the Detroit Tigers‘ potential lineup and walk through what’s still unresolved. What’s in store for the likes of Kerry Carpenter, Akil Baddoo, César Hernández and

LAKELAND, Fla. — Kirk Gibson doesn’t want you to read this. It’s a warm morning in early March outside the Detroit Tigers’ clubhouse at Joker Marchant Stadium when the former Tigers slugger, who now works as an analyst for Bally Sports Detroit, walks up to me. We’re both part of a small media contingent waiting

After reaching 3,000 hits early in the 2022 season (and 500 homers late in the 2021 season), Detroit Tigers designated hitter Miguel Cabrera says 2023 will be his last season in the majors. That sets the stage for a farewell campaign sure to be full of wistful goodbyes, standing ovations (check out this salutation from

LAKELAND, Fla. — Kan Ikeda emailed all 30 MLB teams. He moved to the United States from Japan to earn his college degree and begin a career in baseball. He enrolled in an English learning program in San Francisco, then worked as a student manager at Southwestern Oregon Community College, followed by another stint as a

LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 11-10, on Sunday in the final spring training game at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Tigers finished 14-16-2 in Grapefruit League play. Opening Day is at 3:10 p.m. Thursday against the Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida. What happened The Tigers held a brief

LAKELAND, Fla. — It’s easy to forget Riley Greene’s age. “I’m 22 years old,” he said. His childhood friends are graduating college and starting their careers. Others are staying in school to pursue postgraduate degrees. Best friends Randall and Samantha got married in Geneva, Florida, not far from his hometown in Oviedo, on the last Saturday

DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-1, on Saturday at TD Ballpark. The Tigers are 13-16 in Grapefruit League play. What happened Facing right-hander Sem Robberse, the Tigers scored four runs on two hits in the third inning. The first two batters, Ryan Kreidler and Zack Short, reached base safely on

LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers begin the regular season in five days. There are six position players in the mix for three spots on the 26-man roster: outfielders Akil Baddoo, Kerry Carpenter and Jonathan Davis, and infielders César Hernández, Ryan Kreidler and Zack Short. The finalists appear to be Baddoo, Carpenter, Hernandez and Kreidler. Here’s

LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers tied the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-6, on Friday at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Tigers stayed at 12-16 in Grapefruit League play after their second consecutive tie. What happened The top six batters in the Tigers’ lineup — Kerry Carpenter, Nick Maton, Javier Báez, Austin Meadows, Spencer Torkelson and Miguel

LAKELAND, Fla. — In the fifth round of roster cuts, the Detroit Tigers optioned right-handed reliever Will Vest and catcher Donny Sands to Triple-A Toledo. Infielder Andy Ibañez was reassigned to minor-league camp. The Tigers also informed catchers Andrew Knapp and Michael Papierski that they’ve been eliminated from contending for the Opening Day roster, meaning

LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Lorenzen won’t be healthy enough to pitch at the beginning of the regular season. Lorenzen, who suffered a left groin strain last week, has been replaced in the starting rotation by left-hander Joey Wentz. For now, the Tigers have committed to Wentz pitching one of the first five games.

Grapefruit League: Detroit Tigers (12-16) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (9-14) When: 6:05 p.m. Saturday. Where: Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, Florida. TV: None. Radio: None (other radio affiliates). ⋅ BOX SCORE Probable starting pitchers: Tigers LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0, 0.00 ERA this spring) vs. Pirates RHP Roansy Contreras (0-0, 3.00). READY FOR OPENING DAY?Detroit

LAKELAND, Fla. — There has never been a competition among Detroit Tigers pitchers for the honor of Opening Day starter. This spring training, MLB instructed managers not to reveal their starters for the first game of the regular season on their own timeline. The league wanted the announcements to happen Friday for all 30 teams at