Chris McCosky

Tigers' Trei Cruz not content with just being invited to the party After spending the first two weeks of Tigers camp playing outfield, Trei Cruz finally gets to dust off his shortstop glove.

Tigers notebook:
--'I’ve been invited to the dance party. I just have to make it to the dance floor.' -- Trei Cruz
--Cruz flashing his baseball IQ
--Josue Briceno out with wrist injury
--Dingler inching closer to being game-ready

New starter Framber Valdez crisp, sharp in his Tigers spring debut The Tigers’ new $115 million lefty was sharp in his spring debut Monday, striking out three in three scoreless innings in a 5-2 loss to Atlanta.

Tigers game report:
—Framber deals in debut
—Stat line worse than performance for Mize
—Brieske leaves with rib cage issue
—Brett Callahan, three at-bats, two 400-foot bombs
—Tomas Nido goes berm

Justin Verlander to make spring debut for Tigers on Friday For the first time since 2017, Justin Verlander is scheduled to make a start at Joker Marchant Stadium.

It's time...

Tigers today

Tigers pitching plan today v. Braves in Lakeland:

Framber Valdez (debut)
Casey Mize
*Beau Brieske
Drew Sommers
Ricky Vanasco

*cleared after missing a turn with back soreness
--Former Tiger Joey Wentz on the Braves' pitching list today

As if Verlander and Skubal weren't entertaining enough, Kevin McGonigle continues to shake up the Tigers' roster calculus and, oh by the way, Kenley Jansen made his spring debut...all in here...

Healthy Tyler Mattison impressing Tigers: 'I am feeling really good ...' Right-handed reliever Tyler Mattison is healthy and that’s the first thing the Tigers are looking to see from him this spring.

A pair of ascending Tigers making a strong impression -- RHP Tyler Mattison and IF Max Anderson...story

For Tigers, trip to Dominican Republic well worth logistical hassle The Tigers will play two games against the Dominican WBC team in Santa Domingo on Tuesday (6:05 p.m.) and Wednesday (2:05 p.m.).

'It's going to be amazing': Tigers ready for a hyped-up experience in the Dominican Republic...

A TigerTown treat: Verlander in the morning, Skubal in the afternoon Every once in a while, the mundane, Groundhog Day routine of spring training yields something quite fabulous. Sunday was one of those days.

Every once in a while, the mundane, Groundhog Day routine of spring training yields something quite fabulous. Sunday was one of those days….

Healthy Tyler Mattison impressing Tigers: 'I am feeling really good ...' Right-handed reliever Tyler Mattison is healthy and that’s the first thing the Tigers are looking to see from him this spring.

A pair of ascending Tigers making a strong impression -- RHP Tyler Mattison and IF Max Anderson...story

For Tigers, trip to Dominican Republic well worth logistical hassle The Tigers will play two games against the Dominican WBC team in Santa Domingo on Tuesday (6:05 p.m.) and Wednesday (2:05 p.m.).

'It's going to be amazing': Tigers ready for a hyped-up experience in the Dominican Republic...

Tigers have assigned pitchers Dylan Smith and Ty Madden to minor league camp. Both will still travel with the team to the Dominican Tuesday. Madden is going to be in the rotation at Toledo.

Tigers today

Tigers pitching plan v. Jays today in Lakeland:

Tarik Skubal
Kenley Jansen
Kyle Finnegan
Will Vest
Enmanuel De Jesus

Tigers' Troy Melton in a 'good mind-space' despite worrisome diagnosis Troy Melton whooped and bounced around as if he’d just ended an inning with a 97-mph punchout.

"I dealt with it before and came back and have been healthy for five years since then. I’m in a good mind-space with it right now.”
--Troy Melton

Tigers' Jackson Jobe gives encouraging progress report: 'Light at the end of the tunnel' Jackson Jobe knocked on wood a couple of times during the 11-minute interview inside the clubhouse at Joker Marchant Stadium.

“Obviously, we want to be smart about it. I probably shouldn’t say what we have in mind just in case it doesn’t happen, but I feel optimistic that I will be throwing some important innings this year.”
--Jackson Jobe

Tigers' Jackson Jobe gives encouraging progress report: 'Light at the end of the tunnel' Jackson Jobe knocked on wood a couple of times during the 11-minute interview inside the clubhouse at Joker Marchant Stadium.

“Obviously, we want to be smart about it. I probably shouldn’t say what we have in mind just in case it doesn’t happen, but I feel optimistic that I will be throwing some important innings this year.”
--Jackson Jobe

Tigers' Troy Melton in a 'good mind-space' despite worrisome diagnosis Troy Melton whooped and bounced around as if he’d just ended an inning with a 97-mph punchout.

"I dealt with it before and came back and have been healthy for five years since then. I’m in a good mind-space with it right now.”
--Troy Melton

Troy Melton, who scored in Immaculate Grid this morning using himself (!), is cautiously optimistic about his elbow issue: "I'm not too concerned about anything too long-term. We'll know more for sure in a couple days or a week, but I'm pretty positive for the time being."

Tigers pitching plan at Port Charlotte (Rays) today:

Drew Anderson
Tyler Holton
Burch Smith
Tanner Rainey
Konnor Pilkington
Jack Little

Tigers' Troy Melton likely to miss start of season with elbow injury “It’s unlikely that he will be ready for the beginning of the season,” AJ Hinch said.

Troy Melton (elbow inflammation) won't throw for possibly two weeks. Unlikely to start the season on time.

Jack Flaherty keeps Phillies guessing as Tigers' offense gets off the schneid Jack Flaherty stood with his back to the plate, his arm on his side and a bemused look on his face.

Tigers game report:
--Flaherty bemused by challenge from Phillies' rookie
--Baez right on time early in spring
--Trei Cruz playing himself into an option
--McGonigle helps ignite 11-run inning
--Four non-roster pitchers reassigned

Jack Flaherty keeps Phillies guessing as Tigers' offense gets off the schneid Jack Flaherty stood with his back to the plate, his arm on his side and a bemused look on his face.

Tigers game report:
--Flaherty bemused by challenge from Phillies' rookie
--Baez right on time early in spring
--Trei Cruz playing himself into an option
--McGonigle helps ignite 11-run inning
--Four non-roster pitchers reassigned

Tigers' Troy Melton likely to miss start of season with elbow injury “It’s unlikely that he will be ready for the beginning of the season,” AJ Hinch said.

Troy Melton (elbow inflammation) won't throw for possibly two weeks. Unlikely to start the season on time.

Troy Melton (elbow strain) saw the doctor and was recommended extended rest. Likely won’t be ready to start season

Tigers today

Tigers pitching plan today v. Phillies in Lakeland

Jack Flaherty
Bryan Sammons
Drew Sommers
Ricky Vanasco
Matt Seelinger
Cole Waites

Hurt so good: Tigers' Matt Vierling healthy and hitting his stride Vierling was limited to 31 games last season by first a rotator cuff injury and then an oblique strain.

Tigers notebook:
--Vierling relishing being back in the competition
--Six-man rotation to start the season? No, Hinch said, but maybe later in the year
--Skubal to start Game 2 of WBC vs. Great Britain
--Valdez spring debut Monday

Some tidbits from the spring loss to the O’s in here, including why Beau Brieske was held back today…

Some tidbits from the spring loss to the O’s in here, including why Beau Brieske was held back today…