DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers will kick off a month of Spring Training games Monday afternoon as they battle Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida.
Manager Brad Ausmus released his first lineup on Sunday:
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Jose Iglesias
RF J.D. Martinez
LF Yoenis Cespedes
CF Rajai Davis
3B Nick Castellanos
1B Jordan Lennerton
C Bryan Holady
DH James McCann
Righty Tim Melville will get the start for the Tigers. Last year Melville posted a 5.50 ERA in 26 starts for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The 25-year-old signed a minor league contract with the Tigers during the offseason after spending six years in the Royals' system.
First pitch: 1:05 p.m. at Joker Merchant Stadium
The most notable inclusion in Ausmus' lineup is Iglesias, who is slated to play one inning in the game, according to Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press. Iglesias missed all of 2014 with shin splints and has progressed nicely during the spring, Ausmus says.
Monday will also be the first game action for Cespedes in a Tigers uniform. The 29-year-old was acquired in an offseason trade that sent Rick Porcello to the Boston Red Sox.
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Alex Avila, who has been battling a sore back, is not in the lineup. Instead, 2014 backup Holaday will start behind the dish with fellow catcher McCann slotted in as the designated hitter.
Lineup position means very little during the spring, as Ausmus will simply try to get certain players a specific number of at-bats on any given day. The top two spots in the order will be worth watching during the spring, however, as the Tigers could go a number of ways on Opening Day.
The Tigers will kick off Grapefruit League play Tuesday afternoon against the Baltimore Orioles. Kyle Lobstein is scheduled to start that game for Detroit.