In today’s edition of News and Notes, we review the split squad Spring Training games against the Phillies and the Astros, check up on Victor Martinez‘s progress, touch on Yoenis Cespedes being pulled from the game today with quad-tightness as well as highlight any other important news to come out of Tigers camp.
Tigers fall to Phillies and Astros in split squad Spring Training games
At Joker Merchant Stadium, the Tigers hosted the Phillies this afternoon, falling to Philadelphia 6-5. Justin Verlander started the game for Detroit, pitching three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.
J.D Martinez hit the lone home-run of the day for the Tigers, blasting a solo shot in the first. Jefry Marte added two RBIs at well.
For the Phillies, all six runs were scored in the fifth inning as Philadelphia rocked Tigers’ closer Joe Nathan. Nathan left after two-thirds of an inning allowing five hits and six runs.
Nathan 89-90 with fastball, topped out at 91 late in inning. Command not near previous couple outings, notably on offspeed pitches.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) March 12, 2015
In the other game for Detroit, the Tigers’ fell to the Astros 4-3 in 10 innings.
Anthony Gose was a bright spot for the Tigers, going 2-3 on the afternoon with a triple and two RBIs.
The Tigers’ pitching staff, while only allowing 4 runs, had trouble with command throughout the afternoon, walking nine batters total.
Meanwhile, in Kissimmee, 4 different Tigers relievers have walked 2 batters each. Three of them are left-handed.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) March 12, 2015
Victor Martinez injury update
Martinez is still recovering from off-season surgery, but with the season quickly approaching, any progress is good progress. For the first time this Spring Training, Martinez did some light jogging in the outfield with the team during warmups. There were talks about Martinez hitting the basepaths to try some running on the infield, but that’ll be put off to another day.
#Tigers Cabrera, V. Martinez warming up with team, including light jogging. https://t.co/F3vIl1yC2o
— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) March 12, 2015
Victor Martinez also began straightahead sprints today along with agility work. No baserunning yet, according to Rand.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) March 12, 2015
Yoenis Cespedes day-to-day
In the third inning of today’s game against the Phillies, Cespedes was pulled for a pinch runner. It was later announced by the Tigers that he suffered left quad tightness. He’s listed as day-to-day and it shouldn’t be an issue going forward, but with the way the Tigers’ have been hit by the injury bug so far in Spring Training, it’s something to keep an eye on.
Yoenis Cespedes left today's game with left quad tightness and is day-to-day.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) March 12, 2015
50th anniversary of the Tigers and Joker Merchant Stadium
Today is the 50th anniversary of the first Tigers spring training game at Joker Marchant Stadium.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) March 12, 2015
