Wondering what’s happening with the Detroit Tigers in Florida? We’ve got you covered here at Detroit Sports Nation. All the latest news from Lakeland after the jump.
Struggling For A Foothold
The Detroit Tigers were graced with the presence of Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees in Grapefruit League action today. No word yet on whether ESPN will devote 15 minutes of Sportscenter to the Yankees latest travels. In game news, Alfredo Simon was not sharp as the Tigers dropped their 13th game this Spring in an 11-2 final.
Alfredo Simon today: 3 IP, 6 H, 6 R (6 ER), BB, K. 68 pitches.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) March 20, 2015
In somewhat happier news, Joe Nathan, Rajai Davis, and Yoenis Cespedes played well.
Good work by Nathan. Slider snapping, location excellent — 13 pitches, 10 strikes
— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) March 20, 2015
Rajai Davis is 3-for-3 today.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) March 20, 2015
Yoenis Cespedes with a home run to rightfield, his second of the spring.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) March 20, 2015
The Price Is Right
David Price will be on the mound for Tigers on Opening Day in Detroit. The left hander was surprised and happy to hear the news.
Price: "I am extremely honored to take the ball on that day. It's a very special day in baseball. It caught me by surprise to say the least.
— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) March 20, 2015
Of course, we had the breaking story for you right here at Detroit Sports Nation.
Fun fact: Justin Verlander has been the Opening Day starter for a long time.
Last Opening Day pitcher not named Justin Verlander for the #Tigers? Jeremy Bonderman in 2007.
— Bill Shea (@Bill_Shea19) March 20, 2015
To his credit, Verlander received the news in stride.
Verlander;'I don't want to be handed opening day. I want to earn it. I didn't earn it the way I pitched last year.'
— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) March 20, 2015
With the Opening Day starter situation settled, Chris Iott reports what the starting rotation should look like, at least early on, for Detroit this year.
Rotation to start the season: Price, Verlander, Sanchez, Simon, Greene, Price.
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) March 20, 2015
All The Trimmings
The Tigers made some significant roster cuts at training camp today.
The Tigers optioned four players to Triple-A Toledo today: Jose Valdez, Drew VerHagen, Daniel Fields and Dixon Machado.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) March 20, 2015
The Tigers optioned one player to Double-A Erie: Wynton Bernard.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) March 20, 2015
And they assigned two players to minor-league camp: Righty Tim Melville and catcher Miguel Gonzalez.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) March 20, 2015
According to the team, they have 45 players left in major-league camp.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) March 20, 2015
Catcher Austin Green was also assigned to the minors today. Green is a young player with two years of Single A experience. He was a non roster invite to the 2015 camp.
Additional roster move: the #Tigers today assigned the contract of C Austin Green to minor league camp.
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) March 20, 2015
Hunger Games
Comerica Park unveiled a new tempting culinary treat for fans this year. Let’s face it, when it starts with “bacon on a stick” how can you resist?
New food at Comerica Park in 2015!
Bacon and Eggs: Bacon on a stick topped with deviled eggs and fried jalapenos pic.twitter.com/yAlQlGBusM— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) March 20, 2015
Tom Gage Update
Recently leaving the Detroit News, long time Detroit sports journalist Tom Gage joined the Fox Sports Detroit team. We’re glad to hear that Gage will still be working in Detroit. He’s a Detroit-born National Baseball Hall of Fame writer and belongs in The D covering the Tigers.
Hall of Fame baseball writer Tom Gage joins http://t.co/QDmiEwVdxN staff. http://t.co/sW86oS71V9 #Tigers
— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) March 20, 2015
