Tigers Opening Day lineup: Castellanos bats 2nd, Mahtook in RF

Tigers play White Sox in Chicago

CHICAGO – The Detroit Tigers released their Opening Day lineup Monday ahead of the afternoon matchup with the Chicago White Sox.

Here's the full starting lineup:

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  • Ian Kinsler, 2B
  • Nick Castellanos, 3B
  • Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  • Victor Martinez, DH
  • Justin Upton, LF
  • Mikie Mahtook, RF
  • James McCann, C
  • JaCoby Jones, CF
  • Jose Iglesias, SS
  • Justin Verlander will start on the mound for the Tigers against Chicago left-hander Jose Quintana.

    Nick Castellanos gets the first start in the No. 2 spot after it was a bit of a revolving door for the Tigers in 2016. Castellanos was on his way to a breakout season before injury caused him to miss 50 games. He finished with a .331 on-base percentage, .827 OPS, 25 doubles and 18 home runs.

    Mikie Mahtook earned the starting right field job after slugger J.D. Martinez was sidelined by a foot injury to start the season. Mahtook was acquired in an offseason trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.

    Mahtook is joined in the outfield by JaCoby Jones, the versatile prospect acquired at the 2015 trade deadline when the Tigers sent Joakim Soria to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jones showed some extra-base power in a brief MLB stint last season, but was exposed by opposing pitchers to the tune of 12 strikeouts in 28 plate appearances.

    The rest of the cast returns from last season, with Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera leading the offense and Victor Martinez and Justin Upton providing depth in the middle. James McCann and Jose Iglesias were part of a bottom third that struggled in 2016. Brad Ausmus is hoping that group can bounce back as the Tigers look to return to the playoffs.

    First pitch in Chicago is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. Eastern Time.


    About the Author:

    Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.