LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez is tabbed for the first Opening Day start of his career. Tigers manager AJ Hinch informed Rodriguez of this before MLB’s 99-day lockout, which began Dec. 2 and concluded March 10. The skipper made his decision official before Friday’s Grapefruit League opener at Joker Marchant Stadium. CATCHERS OF
As I write this, there is Detroit Tigers baseball on my TV. The Bally broadcast team is interviewing A.J. Hinch, and the score is tied 0-0. But more than anything: there is Tigers baseball on my TV. A few weeks ago this felt like it was an impossibility more than an expectation, and when the
LAKELAND, Fla. — Eduardo Rodriguez’s first start as a Tiger will be the unofficial holiday that is Opening Day in Detroit. Manager A.J. Hinch announced Friday that the left-hander is scheduled to start their regular-season opener April 8 against the White Sox at Comerica Park. The decision, Hinch said, came early in the offseason, shortly
Lakeland, Fla. — Akil Baddoo was back where he wants to be in the Tigers’ spring opener. Hitting leadoff. “That’s something I’ve done my entire career and I do take it with a lot of pride and confidence,” said Baddoo, who was named Tigers rookie of the year by the Detroit Sports Media Association before the
We don’t typically do game previews for Grapefruit League action, but after the miserable saga of the CBA negotiations, we’re going to treat ourselves to a brief one. Detroit Tigers baseball is back on the airwaves on Friday as they open their spring training schedule against the Philadelphia Phillies. The first look at the 2022
LAKELAND, Fla. — Miguel Cabrera received a Medusa-like treatment Monday morning from a pitching prospect. Detroit Tigers right-hander Beau Brieske, one of the most advanced minor-league arms in MLB spring training, refused to look at Cabrera, a 38-year-old entering his 20th season in the big leagues with a Hall of Fame résumé. “I didn’t want to look
Matt Shepard and Dan Petry prep us for Game 1 of Spring Training, Tigers-Phillies today at 1 on Bally Sports Detroit. #MarygroveAwnings #DetroitRoots
LAKELAND, Fla. — Andrew Chafin, the Detroit Tigers‘ new left-handed relief pitcher, came through the door wearing camouflage Crocks and holding a can of Mug root beer. “Oh dear,” he said, seeing a group of reporters in the lobby of the Tigers facility. His crazy hair, as his daughter calls his mop of curls, was
The Tigers have had an active offseason, acquiring Javier Báez, Eduardo Rodríguez, Andrew Chafin and Tucker Barnhart. They could still use some help at the back of the rotation, though, and they’ve been tied to a few starting pitchers in recent days. Jon Heyman of the MLB Network tweeted last night that Detroit was among the teams in discussions with
Detroit Tigers reliever Andrew Chafin talks to the media on Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Lakeland, Florida, about signing a two-year, $13 million contract. Facebook – https://bit.ly/2T7zuV9 Twitter – https://bit.ly/2JeixbW Instagram – https://bit.ly/2Chb7hR Online – https://www.freep.com #tigers #springtraining #mlblockout #andrewchafin
The brand new Top 100 Prospects list has arrived! The list, which features a new No. 1 overall prospect in Bobby Witt Jr., has representatives from 28 clubs and is loaded with elite talent. Once again, hitters dominate the list as there are 71 position players listed. After the 29 pitchers named, shortstops (24) are
At long last, we are ready to unveil MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list. And with a full Minor League season in 2021, there are sure to be plenty of changes in this year’s list compared to a year ago. With graduations, performances and an influx of new talent via the Draft and international signings,
LAKELAND, Fla. — Andrew Chafin is never going to try to complicate his ability to run out of a bullpen and throw a baseball. “Oh, probably a decent sinker and a good slider,” he said. “No, no, I guess I’ve been around a little bit now, and if you want to say wisdom or something
LAKELAND, Fla. — Chase Anderson tries not to think about the past two years of his baseball career. The 34-year-old signed a minor-league contract Monday with the Detroit Tigers and reported to spring training in TigerTown, where the right-hander hopes to remind the industry he belongs at the highest level. “I feel like I can come
Lakeland, Fla. — Oh to be a fly on the wall the first time Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter sits down with Andrew Chafin. The Tigers on Thursday made official the signing of Chafin, the 31-year-old lefty reliever, for two years and $13 million. Fetter, like the organization’s entire pitching department, comes from the newer data-tech school
Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila talks Thursday, March 17, 2022, about his team’s activity in the free agency and trade markets as the Tigers get rolling in spring training. Video by Evan Petzold, DFP. MORE: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/03/17/detroit-tigers-general-manager-al-avila-we-expect-win-2022/7079488001/ For more Detroit and Michigan news, sports and entertainment, follow the Detroit Free Press on: Facebook – https://bit.ly/2T7zuV9
Tarik Skubal pays attention to detail, whether it’s his approach to working out, the number of points he needs Devin Booker to score at a Suns game, the best sushi place in Phoenix, or the number of times he’s won his fantasy football league. Turns out, throwing a baseball is just one of his many
LAKELAND, Fla. — While the Tigers introduced new reliever Andrew Chafin on Thursday, executive vice president and general manager Al Avila continued his search for more pitching help, particularly a starter. It has not been easy. “I think we’ve taken care of most of our needs,” Avila said. “Obviously, the injury to [Spencer] Turnbull and
Lakeland, Fla. — Tigers general manager Al Avila said he hasn’t give up on finding a veteran starting pitcher to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation, but time and suitable options are becoming scarce. “It’s getting to the point where it’s thinning out a little bit,” he said Thursday, his first extended media conference
LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila wants to send a message. He isn’t done making moves. “It’s getting to the point where it’s thinning out a little bit,” Avila said Thursday, discussing the free agent and trade markets. “We’re still trying to improve the team. I’m not sure if we’ll be able to