2009 Spring Training Schedule

We need our big bats back in the lineup!!!

Not trying to be a gray cloud, but there's plenty of pessimism on the other board!

What's new. They complain no matter what!

I'm starting to get that uneasy feeling again. This season will be a mirror image of last year if:
- Maggs doesn't start hitting
- Dontrelle never recovers his form
- Nate/Justin/Zach lose control within the first 3 innings
- Our trades (except for Laird) continue to look weak
- DD doesn't stop his Leyland love affair

Otherwise, this ship is in for some heavy-duty housecleaning for '09 and '10.

I agree, there will be some housecleaning, starting with Willis. I think he will be released, sadly stealing $22 million!

03/25/09 4:28 PM ET

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Tigers roll after Robertson's exit
Polanco homers, Larish plates three runs in win over Mets

By Marty Noble / MLB.com

TIGERS 10, METS 6
at Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Wednesday, March 25

Tigers at the plate: Placido Polanco hit a three-run home run off Oliver Perez in a four-run fourth inning. Clete Thomas hit an RBI double later in the inning. Dane Sardinha had two hits. Left-handed-hitting Jeff Larish had three hits, one a two-run double with the bases loaded against left-hander Ron Villone in the sixth. Adam Everett doubled leading off the game, but jammed his left ankle sliding into second base and was removed from the game.

Mets at the plate: Fernando Tatis, starting against a left-handed pitcher, had three hits, including a well-struck double. Carlos Beltran drove in a run with a double in the fifth. Jonathan Malo (single) drove in a run and Brian Schneider (single) plated two runs in the fifth.

Tigers on the mound: Nate Robertson, competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, was removed having pitched two-thirds of an inning. Robertson suffered a sprained left thumb when he was struck on his pitching hand by a throw that could have completed a 3-6-1 double play. Zach Miner replaced Robertson and pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and one walk.

Mets on the mound: Perez was gone after 3 2/3 innings, having allowed six runs on six walks and six hits. The last run against him scored on a double against Carlos Muniz. Villone's chances of being the second left-handed setup man took a hit when the veteran reliever allowed two run-scoring doubles by left-handed hitters in the sixth.

Grapefruit League records: Mets: 10-12-1, Tigers: 8-13-1

Up next: The Tigers play the Rays at home in Lakeland, Fla., beginning at 6:05 p.m. ET. Rick Porcello starts for Detroit, opposite Tampa Bay's Andy Sonnastine.

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

DETROIT 10, N.Y. METS 6
Everett, Robertson injured in Tigers' win

By JON PAUL MOROSI • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • March 25, 2009

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- With only one week of spring games left in Florida, the Tigers need to keep their roster as healthy as possible.

During this afternoon's 10-6 win over the New York Mets, two of their players left with injuries before the end of the first inning.

And the people involved are very important to the team’s plans.

Shortstop Adam Everett hobbled off the field after he sprained his left ankle while sliding into second base on the very first play of the afternoon. Then Nate Robertson was hit on his left (pitching) thumb by a throw from Danny Worth -- Everett’s replacement -- during an attempted double play.

The team described Robertson’s injury as a sprained left thumb and said he would be evaluated Thursday.

Robertson had shown improvement in recent outings and was building a strong case to be the team’s No. 5 starter. He was charged with an error on the play, which allowed a run to score.

The team described Everett's injury as a Grade 1 left ankle sprain. It’s not clear when he will rejoin the lineup.

Everett led off the game with a popup to shallow leftfield. The ball was playable for Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, but he lost the ball in the near-cloudless sky.

Everett saw the opportunity to take second base. He accelerated around first and slid in safely on a close play but immediately began writing in pain. Manager Jim Leyland and assistant athletic trainer Steve Carter rushed from the dugout to check on him.

Danny Worth, a shortstop prospect, replaced Everett as the runner at second base. Everett limped off without assistance.

As Worth jogged onto the field, someone emerged from the Mets dugout to hand Reyes a pair of sunglasses.

Placido Polanco homered and drove in three runs for the Tigers, who also got three RBIs from Jeff Larish. Reliever Scott Williamson allowed five earned runs in an inning of work. Robertson allowed an unearned run, and Zach Miner, Ryan Perry, Bobby Seay and Juan Rincon pitched scoreless relief.

That Sucks

Everett's injury happened so quickly I almost missed it. He caught his left foot on the base at the end of the slide.

Darn

Who will replace him? Guillen? Here we go again...fruit basket upset!

laprimamirala wrote:

Who will replace him? Guillen? Here we go again...fruit basket upset!

??

Maybe....his bat beter be hot!

laprimamirala wrote:

Maybe....his bat beter be hot!

He is batting .297 so far this spring.

Laird is really surprising me, with a .419 batting average!

Ah, yes, but I can remember he did well in ST last year but wilted pretty fast once the season started.

No more hernias/groin injuries, Jerry!

03/26/09 8:51 PM ET

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Granderson paces Tigers' offense
Outfielder collects three hits in Detroit's win over Tampa Bay

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

TIGERS 6, RAYS 3
at Lakeland, Fla.
Thursday, March 26

Rays at the plate: Tampa Bay loaded the bases with no one out in the first inning, but managed to plate only one run when Carlos Pena flew out to the warning track in center field for a sacrifice fly. Ben Zobrist tripled and scored in the fourth before former Tigers player Matt Joyce had an RBI single in the fifth.

Tigers at the plate: The four Tigers returning from the World Baseball Classic made their impact early and often, especially Curtis Granderson. He and Miguel Cabrera doubled to open Detroit's scoring in the opening inning before Granderson reached on an error and scored on a Carlos Guillen groundout in the third. Granderson and Brandon Inge added solo homers in the fourth to pull Detroit ahead.

Rays on the mound: Andy Sonnanstine never seemingly settled in against Detroit's lineup, though he managed to get a good share of swings and misses. He gave up four runs, three earned, on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings, marking his longest outing of the spring. Lance Cormier followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings on two hits.

Tigers on the mound: Starter Rick Porcello, trying to add to his resume as he competes for the fifth spot in Detroit's rotation, was on the ropes early with a 36-pitch opening inning, but looked much more comfortable in the second with a better mix of speeds. He left with one out in the third after hitting his pitch count. Clay Rapada gave up a pair of runs in his 2 1/3 innings before Juan Rincon, pitching for the second consecutive day, pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings with two walks and two strikeouts.

Grapefruit League records: Rays 12-11-1, Tigers 10-13-1

Up next: The Tigers have a quick turnaround for a Friday morning bus to Disney World, where Justin Verlander will try to continue his strong second half to the spring in a 1:05 p.m. ET start against the Braves at Champion Stadium. Brandon Lyon is slated to make his first outing since giving up four consecutive home runs against the Red Sox. Bobby Seay and Fernando Rodney will also pitch in relief. Tom Glavine is the scheduled starter for Atlanta. Every Tigers regular is scheduled to make the trip except for injured Adam Everett and Gary Sheffield, who wouldn't play with no designated hitter spot in the game.

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

03/27/09 3:25 PM ET

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Verlander sparkles in loss
Braves get to closer Lyon to record walk-off victory

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

BRAVES 3, TIGERS 2
at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
March 27, 2008

Tigers at the plate: Matt Treanor's seventh-inning two-run homer off Manny Acosta accounted for the game's first runs. Carlos Guillen's fourth-inning double accounted for the only extra-base hit the Tigers recorded during Tom Glavine's four-inning effort. Miguel Cabrera and Brandon Inge were left stranded after recording second-inning singles.

Braves at the plate: Greg Norton produced a game-tying, two-run, eighth-inning double off Fernando Rodney before Martin Prado ended the game in the ninth with a walk-off single off Brandon Lyon. Josh Anderson's third-inning bunt single accounted for the only hit the Braves recorded during the first five innings against Verlander. Kelly Johnson added a sixth-inning single against the hard-throwing right-hander.

Tigers on the mound: While allowing two hits and recording three strikeouts over seven scoreless innings, Verlander hit 97 mph with his fastball and displayed the dominant form that he possessed in 2007. Lyon issued a leadoff walk to Brandon Ross to begin the ninth inning and then surrendered an Omar Infante single before Prado followed with his walk-off single.

Braves on the mound: Working with a fastball that sat around 80 mph, Glavine recorded three strikeouts in four scoreless innings. In his two Grapefruit League starts, the 43-year-old southpaw has completed seven scoreless innings. Eric O'Flaherty, who allowed 10 earned runs and 16 hits in his previous six outings, recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless inning.

Grapefruit League records: Tigers 10-14; Braves 17-8

Up next: Braves starter Jair Jurrjens will attempt to prolong his recent success when he takes the mound to face the Yankees at Disney at 1:05 p.m. ET on Saturday. Closer Mike Gonzalez, who was happy with his increased velocity during his previous outing, is also scheduled to pitch.

Edwin Jackson will start for the Tigers on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET, when they travel to Dunedin , Fla., to face the Blue Jays. Jackson is slated to make his regular-season debut against the Blue Jays on April 7. Ryan Perry, who is bidding for a bullpen spot, is also scheduled to pitch two innings.

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

03/28/09 3:35 PM ET

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Jackson continues strong work
Polanco homers to back starter's seven innings against Jays

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com

TIGERS 5, BLUE JAYS 1
at Dunedin, Fla.
Saturday, March 28

Tigers at the plate: Second baseman Placido Polanco highlighted an early outburst of offense for Detroit, drilling the first pitch he received in the second inning for a two-run home run. Miguel Cabrera contributed an RBI single in the first, Curtis Granderson had an RBI double in the second and Gerald Laird chipped in an RBI sacrifice fly in the third.

Blue Jays at the plate: First baseman Lyle Overbay connected for a one-out double to get things started for Toronto in the second inning. Third baseman Scott Rolen followed by lofting a pitch into the right-center-field gap for a run-scoring single. Travis Snider added a fifth-inning double to left field, but he was stranded on the basepaths.

Tigers on the mound: Edwin Jackson, projected to be Detroit's No. 2 starter this season, logged seven strong innings on an extremely windy day at Dunedin Stadium. Jackson surrendered one run on six hits and ended with four strikeouts and no walks. First-round Draft pick Ryan Perry went one scoreless inning, allowing a hit and fanning two.

Blue Jays on the mound: Right-hander Scott Richmond -- one of three pitchers still in the running for two vacant rotation jobs -- allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits in four innings for Toronto. Richmond struck out two and walked one, finishing with 80 pitches. Brian Tallet, Scott Downs, Jason Frasor and Shawn Camp combined to retire the final 15 Tigers in a row.

Grapefruit League records: Tigers 11-14; Blue Jays 11-13-2.

Up next: The Tigers play host to the Braves at 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. Right-hander Jeremy Bonderman will start for Detroit, with righty Javier Vazquez slated to take the mound for Atlanta.

On Sunday, the Blue Jays travel to Kissimmee, Fla., to take on the Astros at 1:05 p.m. Left-hander Ricky Romero, who remains in the running for a rotation job with Toronto, is scheduled to start. Houston will give the nod to righty Brian Moehler.

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

Laird must feeling okay! Any news on Trainor?

laprimamirala wrote:

Laird must feeling okay! Any news on Trainor?

:treanor: played yesterday and seemed ok.

03/29/09 4:47 PM ET

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Offense picks up Bonderman's start
Long balls from Polanco, Inge start Tigers rally vs. Braves

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

TIGERS 5, BRAVES 4
at Lakeland, Fla
Sunday, March 29

Braves at the plate: Atlanta put on a power display against Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman with a three-run first inning, fueled by back-to-back home runs from Jeff Francoeur and Casey Kotchman. David Ross added a solo homer in the seventh.

Tigers at the plate: Placido Polanco's first-inning solo homer started the Tigers on their way back. Marcus Thames doubled home another tally and scored on Brandon Inge's two-run homer in the second to put Detroit ahead. Curtis Granderson's infield single plated Thames to put the Tigers ahead for good.

Braves pitching: Starter Javier Vazquez overcame his rough second inning to pitch four scoreless innings after that. He gave up four runs over his six innings before Blaine Boyer gave up the go-ahead run in the seventh.

Tigers pitching: Starter Jeremy Bonderman, trying to build arm strength in his first Major League start of Spring Training, struggled with the long ball and left with one out in the second inning, having thrown close to his 65-pitch limit. He retired just four of the eight batters he faced. Bobby Seay tossed 1 2/3 perfect innings before Zach Miner, a starting candidate again with Bonderman unlikely to start the season on time, lasted 3 2/3 innings before giving up his lone run on Ross' homer.

Grapefruit League records: Braves 17-10; Tigers 12-14-1.

Up next: Armando Galarraga will make his first Spring Training start since returning from the World Baseball Classic on Monday, when the Tigers make their final road trip of the Grapefruit League for a 12:05 p.m. CT game against the Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. Shairon Martis is scheduled to start for Washington.

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

Sunday, March 29, 2009
Tigers 5, Braves 4
Tigers beat Braves; Miner gets some work
Tom Gage / The Detroit News

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Despite two long home runs in the first inning off Jeremy Bonderman -- no doubt the next Tigers pitcher headed for the disabled list -- the Tigers came back to beat the Atlanta Braves, 5-4, on Sunday at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Bonderman allowed three runs in 1 1/3 innings. He threw 54 pitches -- and while manager Jim Leyland said that after the game it's only "still unlikely" Bonderman won't be ready for the start of the season, it's clear he wont be.

In fact, with 3 2/3 innings of relief, Zach Miner could be in the midst of being groomed to take his spot in the rotation for the start of the season.

"I've not been told anything," said Miner, "but I'd be ready for that."

The Tigers' comeback was built on the strength of two home runs: Placido Polanco's third of the spring in the first and a two-run shot from Brandon Inge in the second, his fourth.

You can reach Tom Gage at tom.gage@detnews.com.

03/30/09 3:48 PM ET

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Tigers edge Nats in close game
Raburn, Thomas provide enough offense for Detroit pitchers

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

TIGERS 3, NATIONALS 2
at Viera, Fla.
Monday, March 30

Tigers at the plate: Detroit did its damage in the third inning. Ryan Raburn hit a solo home run to make it a 2-1 game, while Clete Thomas gave the Tigers a 3-2 lead with a two-run home run.

Nationals at the plate: Washington scored its only runs in the bottom of the first inning, when Ryan Zimmerman hit a two-run homer. The Nats collected three hits in the game.

Tigers on the mound: Right-hander Armando Galarraga pitched five innings and gave up two runs on two hits. He struck out nine batters and walked one.

Nationals on the mound: Right-hander Shairon Martis had his worst outing of the spring, lasting 4 1/3 innings and giving up three runs on four hits. Joe Beimel, Gary Glover and Jason Bergmann didn't give up a run in a combined 3 1/3 innings.

Grapefruit League records: Nationals 12-15-2; Tigers 13-14-1.

Up next: The Tigers return home to Lakeland, Fla., for an 12:05 p.m. CT game against the Nationals. Right-hander Rick Porcello will get the nod for Detroit, while right-hander Craig Stammen will start for Washington.

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

03/31/09 4:14 PM ET

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Porcello solid in Tigers' loss
Rotation hopeful hit line drive, later pulled as a precaution

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

NATIONALS 7, TIGERS 2
at Lakeland, Fla.
Tuesday, March 31

Nationals at the plate: After Miguel Cabrera's fourth-inning error brought in Washington's first run, Justin Maxwell's solo homer in the sixth off Brandon Lyon put the Nationals ahead for good. Dmitri Young, playing his first game since March 1, broke open the game in the seventh with a three-run homer off former teammate Nate Robertson. Austin Kearns added a two-run homer in the ninth inning.

Tigers at the plate: Detroit's only hit through the first five innings was Miguel Cabrera's double, putting Magglio Ordonez in position to score the Tigers' first run on Curtis Granderson's ensuing groundout. Josh Anderson walked twice in his first game as a Tiger following Monday's trade from the Braves.

Nationals on the mound: Craig Stammen gave up that one hit over four innings of work, walking two and striking out four. Jason Bergmann and Garrett Mock added scoreless innings.

Tigers on the mound: Rick Porcello's likely final start of this Spring Training ended after five innings, when he was removed as a precaution with a stiff right shoulder blade from a Ryan Zimmerman hard-hit comebacker. He retired the side in order through the first three innings and scattered two soft singles in the fourth. Lyon's inning of work yielded his fifth home run of the spring. Robertson, vying with Porcello for a rotation spot, gave up a single and a walk before Young's home run and two more hits.

Grapefruit League records: Nationals 13-15-2; Tigers 13-15-1

Up next: Justin Verlander makes his final tuneup before Opening Day when he starts Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. ET against the Braves at Joker Marchant Stadium. It'll be his second successive matchup against Atlanta, which will again trot out Tom Glavine.

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

04/01/09 3:35 PM ET

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Tigers fall despite Granderson's homer
Verlander roughed up as scoreless-innings streak snapped

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

BRAVES 9, TIGERS 3
At Lakeland, Fla.
Wednesday, April 1

Braves at the plate: Yunel Escobar's two-run double and Casey Kotchman's two-run homer paced a five-run second inning to put Atlanta in command early. Gregor Blanco had a pair of RBI hits, while Chipper Jones and Clint Sammons added solo homers, the former a massive drive over the right-field scoreboard.

Tigers at the plate: Curtis Granderson and Josh Anderson traded jerseys to wear during the game as an April Fool's joke, then teamed up to provide the bulk of Detroit's offense. Granderson's two-run homer put the Tigers on the scoreboard in the third inning before Anderson's infield single plated Brandon Inge in the fourth. Miguel Cabrera added a pair of singles.

Braves on the mound: Tom Glavine couldn't duplicate his scoreless performance against the Tigers in his last start, but he was still good enough to win his final tuneup of Spring Training. Ten of Glavine's 15 outs came on the ground.

Tigers on the mound: Justin Verlander's 13-inning scoreless streak, including seven innings against the Braves in his last time out, ended in a hurry with Wednesday's five-run second. He finished with seven runs allowed on nine hits over five innings in his final outing before his Opening Day assignment at Toronto next Monday. Left-hander Bobby Seay gave up right-hander Sammons' homer in the sixth.

Grapefruit League records: Braves 19-11; Tigers 13-16-1.

Coming up: Jair Jurrjens will take the mound on Thursday, when the Braves conclude their Grapefruit League season against the Astros in Kissimmee, Fla., at 1:05 p.m. ET. With Houston's Major Leaguers traveling to play a Minor League game in Corpus Christi, Jurrjens will be facing a lineup primarily filled with Triple-A players.

The Tigers wrap up the Florida portion of their Spring Training schedule Thursday with a 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Blue Jays at Joker Marchant Stadium. Eddie Bonine, who has made the team in a relief role, will start the game but pitch no more than two innings.

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

GO TIGERS!

04/02/09 3:49 PM ET

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Tigers' bats come alive vs. Jays
Cabrera, Inge and Granderson all contribute at the plate

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

TIGERS 8, BLUE JAYS 5
At Lakeland, Fla.
Thursday, April 2

Blue Jays at the plate: All of Toronto's offense came off Tigers Minor League pitching in the fourth and fifth innings. Aaron Hill hit a solo homer off Josh Rainwater, who also gave up a Scott Rolen RBI single, before Alex Rios smacked a three-run homer off Justin Huber in the fifth. Rios and Travis Snider had two hits apiece.

Tigers at the plate: Detroit's regular lineup built an early 4-0 lead, then came back with four more runs after falling behind. Miguel Cabrera singled in two runs in the fourth before adding an RBI ground-rule double in the seventh. Brandon Inge hit a two-run homer in the sixth. Curtis Granderson added two hits and two runs scored. Carlos Guillen had two hits, including a double, and two RBIs.

Blue Jays on the mound: Starter Scott Richmond's final Spring Training tuneup yielded six runs on nine hits in six innings of work before Jason Frasor gave up two insurance runs in the seventh.

Tigers on the mound: Starter Eddie Bonine, who will work out of Detroit's bullpen when the season opens next week, tossed two scoreless innings before rookie Ryan Perry finished up his stellar Spring Training with a perfect third.

Grapefruit League records: Blue Jays 12-17-2; Tigers 14-16-1

Coming up: The Tigers left Lakeland after the game for Atlanta, where they'll play exhibition games against the Braves on Friday night at 7:10 p.m. ET and Saturday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. at Turner Field. Zach Miner will start Friday's game opposite Javier Vazquez.

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