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
When Michael Fulmer returned to action in 2020 after a year on the shelf for Tommy John and right meniscus surgeries, it was no surprise that he struggled. The elbow surgery tends to get the attention, but the knee is actually the greater concern. His arm is healthy, but with compromised lower half mechanics and
I was driving around town on Sunday knocking out my errands heading into the workweek. It was calm–the roads were more quiet than usual as were the aisles in the stores. My one-year-old was fast asleep in the backseat as I listened to the Detroit Tigers radio broadcast on my way home.
Welcome to Monday. We get a rare spring training night game Monday night when the team travels to play the Toronto Blue Jays. The field is narrowing for the final roster and chances that players have to prove they should be coming north with the team are getting fewer and fewer. Michael Fulmer certainly did
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
By Anthony Franco | March 21, 2021 at 10:12pm CDT The latest on COVID-19 situations throughout the league: Tigers starter Spencer Turnbull looks unlikely to return to Spring Training before the end of camp due to health and safety protocols, manager A.J. Hinch told reporters (including Chris McCosky of the Detroit News). Hinch didn’t rule out
The most efficient way to build a winning big league club is by constructing a strong farm system. Since MLB Pipeline began ranking farm systems biannually in 2015, every organization that claimed the top spot has enjoyed plenty of on-field success. The first three teams to sit atop our rankings — the Cubs (pre-2015), Red
Clearwater, Fla. – Let’s not bury Michael Fulmer just yet. After two rough starts, manager AJ Hinch wanted to change the scenery a bit, so he brought the right-handed Fulmer into the middle of the Tigers’ 5-3 spring win over the Phillies on Sunday. Even though Fulmer has never pitched out of the bullpen in
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
Jazz Chisholm is certainly making his case to be the Marlins’ starting second baseman. MLB Pipeline’s No. 66 prospect didn’t start Sunday, but made his presence felt late by going 2-for-2 with his third dinger of the spring — a two-run shot in the sixth inning — to help lift Miami over Houston, 4-2, at
Since December, I have discussed some sort of roster construction for the Detroit Tigers, ranging from the 26th man on the roster to the starting rotation. As we are getting closer to Opening Day, I think it’s time to put one final one that focuses not only on the home opener against Cleveland but covers…
The last batter of Michael Fulmer’s outing Sunday pretty much summed up his day. He threw five different pitches in his five-pitch at-bat against Phillies catcher Andrew Knapp, starting with a slider that Knapp chased and ending with a curveball that prompted Knapp to chase again for an inning-ending strikeout. With that, Fulmer finished three
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,
Detroit Tigers fans eager to attend games at Comerica Park in 2021 after a one-year COVID-induced exile received good news on March 19. The team announced, “The latest epidemic order announced by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services allows for select outdoor entertainment and recreational facilities, which operate under enhanced safety protocols, to…
The Tigers game against the Phillies on Sunday was notable for a couple reasons. First, we saw Matt Manning get the start despite having been moved to minor league camp last week. Second, we saw Michael Fulmer work in relief for the first time. Finally, and most exciting, were a pair of home runs from
Clearwater, Fla. — Desperate times call for desperate measures, especially during a pandemic. Tigers lefty Matthew Boyd was talking on Saturday about the lengths he’s gone to keep his arm in shape when he didn’t have access to a facility or a catcher. “You just have to build a Home Depot strike zone,” he said. “You
Detroit pitcher Tyler Alexander chats with the media prior to day’s tilt between the Tigers and the Phillies. #TigersST | #DetroitRoots
The Tigers skipper A.J. Hinch addresses the media before Detroit takes on Philadelphia in Clearwater, FL. #TigersST | #DetroitRoots
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