Detroit Free Press

Pitchers and catchers reported, position players participated in the first full-squad workout — and now, the Detroit Tigers are counting down the days to the first Grapefruit League game of spring training. The Tigers marked the start of camp by making their most popular move of the 2025-26 offseason, signing franchise icon Justin Verlander to

The Detroit Tigers participated in infield drills Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in spring training in Lakeland, Florida, with Javier Báez and Kevin McGonigle sharing time at shortstop. #detroittigers Read more about the Tigers all season long: https://www.freep.com/sports/tigers/

In Tarik Skubal’s first live batting practice session of 2026 spring training, he struck out prospect Hao-Yu Lee on Friday, Feb. 13.

Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith hits a home run in spring training batting practice at TigerTown in Lakeland, Florida, on Thursday, Feb. 12.

Future Detroit Tigers stars Max Clark, Kevin McGonigle take batting practice at TigerTown complex in Lakeland, Florida, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander plays catch on the first day of MLB spring training Feb. 11, 2026, at TigerTown in Lakeland, Florida. Then left-handed ace Tarik Skubal starts to warm up, too. #detroittigers #justinverlander #tarikskubal Follow the Tigers all season long: https://www.freep.com/sports/tigers/ Check out our new book covering 125 seasons of historic Tigers baseball:

Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris talks Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, on the first day of spring training in Lakeland, Florida, at TigerTown. #detroittigers #justinverlander #scottharris Read our grade for the Tigers signing Justin Verlander: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2026/02/10/justin-verlander-contract-detroit-tigers-grade-free-agency/88610354007/ Check out our new book celebrating 125 seasons of historic Tigers baseball: https://tigers125.pictorialbook.com/

Producer’s note: This podcast was recorded before Justin Verlander signed a one-year contract (https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2026/02/10/justin-verlander-detroit-tigers-contract-2026/88608311007/) and Reese Olson was ruled out for the 2026 season after shoulder surgery (https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2026/02/10/reese-olson-injury-tigers-starting-rotation/88511267007/) . Check freep.com/sports (http://freep.com/sports) for the latest Tigers coverage — and this podcast feed for additional updates. As Detroit Tigers pitchers and catchers report to spring training,

Left-hander Tarik Skubal took down the Detroit Tigers in a record-breaking arbitration case, securing a $32 million salary for the 2026 season rather than the $19 million proposed by the Tigers. To break down the case, former Tigers executive Mike Smith joins Evan Petzold for a special “Days of Roar” bonus episode. Smith, an expert

How to get free Cedar Point admission and get paid to work there (https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2026/02/04/cedar-point-six-flags-hiring-jobs/88510935007/) Ford, Tesla only U.S.-based brands to make influential CR Top 10 list (https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/mark-phelan/2026/02/03/ford-tesla-consumer-reports-top-10-vehicles/88479942007/) Pistons prioritize continuity over big splash as trade deadline passes (https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2026/02/05/detroit-pistons-trade-deadline-tracker/88528178007/) Detroit Tigers sign Framber Valdez to 3-year, $115 million contract (https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2026/02/04/detroit-tigers-sign-framber-valdez-in-mlb-free-agency/88519121007/) Tarik Skubal wins arbitration vs Tigers,

The Detroit Tigers signed left-hander Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million contract with an opt-out clause after the second season — a move that shocked the baseball industry and created one of the best one-two punches atop a starting rotation in the game. In this special “Days of Roar” breaking news episode, Evan Petzold

Stellantis orders employees to return to work 5 days a week (https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2026/01/30/stellantis-return-to-work-order-white-collar-workforce/88433242007/) Trump’s election takeover talk raises alarms for Michigan Democrats (https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/02/03/trump-nationalize-elections-michigan/88487684007/) Days of Roar: Inside Detroit Tigers’ rebuild: Al Avila opens up about ownership, failed trades, draft picks (https://omny.fm/shows/days-of-roar-a-free-press-sports-detroit-tigers/inside-detroit-tigers-rebuild-al-avila-opens-up-about-ownership-failed-trades-draft-picks) Subscribe/follow, rate and share “Days of Roar” available on all podcast platforms including: Apple Podcasts

Pitchers and catchers from the Detroit Tigers report to spring training in eight days, but before the focus shifts to the 2026 season, former general manager Al Avila (responsible for 25 players on the current 40-man roster) joins “Days of Roar” for more than an hour to discuss the Tigers’ rebuild, along with other takeaways

Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris talks to reporters Dec. 17, 2025, about signing reliever Kenley Jansen in free agency.