2009 Spring Training Rotation Listings

02/23/09 5:05 PM EST
Tigers set early Spring Training rotation
Verlander to start Grapefruit opener Wednesday vs. Braves

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Justin Verlander's start in the Tigers' Spring Training opener Wednesday will begin a stretch in which Detroit has at least two starters pitching in each of the first three games of the spring, according to a schedule laid out by pitching coach Rick Knapp and manager Jim Leyland.

Verlander will pitch two innings against the Braves at Joker Marchant Stadium, followed by two innings from starting candidate Zach Miner.

Edwin Jackson and Nate Robertson will go two innings each Thursday against the Nationals in Viera, Fla.

Armando Galarraga and Dontrelle Willis are slated to do the same Friday vs. the Blue Jays at Dunedin, Fla.

Jeremy Bonderman will start Saturday back at Lakeland against the Mets.

The schedule includes a slightly different track for prospect Rick Porcello, who has a slight chance to make the big league club. Porcello is scheduled to pitch an inning in relief Thursday, then throw a side session over the weekend before taking the mound again next Monday in the Tigers' annual exhibition game against Florida Southern College.

The Tigers are trying to find innings for not only their starters, but also their starting candidates. Leyland has pegged Verlander, Jackson, Galarraga and Bonderman for the top four spots in Detroit's rotation, while leaving the fifth spot open to competition among Robertson, Willis, Miner and, to a more limited degree, the 20-year-old Porcello.

This week's assignments generally follow the pitching groups from live batting-practice sessions over the past five days. Besides Verlander and Miner, Wednesday's Spring Training opener will also feature several Tigers pitchers who threw live BP sessions on Thursday and Sunday. That includes left-hander Fu-Te Ni, who will most likely pitch an inning Wednesday before leaving camp to join the Chinese Taipei national team in preparation for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Closer Brandon Lyon is also slated to pitch Wednesday.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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