Tigers’ 2023 payroll: More or less than last year?
Pinning down a precise payroll number isn’t easy and, for our purposes, isn’t terribly important, given that the Tigers won’t be anywhere near the luxury tax threshold. But we can fairly easily compare the Tigers’ payroll now to the obligations that existed at the start of last season. Here’s the nitty gritty on where the Tigers stand:Detroit Tigers pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez throws against the Kansas City Royals in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Cabrera’s contract would also be calculated on the basis of average annual value ($31 million), which would “save” the Tigers’ $1 million for luxury tax purposes. Conversely, the average annual salary for Baez ($23.3 million) and Rodriguez ($15.4 million) would slightly increase the Tigers’ hypothetical luxury tax liability.
mlive.comTigers’ Daniel Norris getting another crack at free agency
Round 2 of free agency is approaching for left-handed pitcher Daniel Norris. Norris, 29, has now pitched in parts of eight seasons for the Tigers, who dealt him to the Brewers at the deadline in 2021. Norris and catcher Tucker Barnhart are the only two players on the Tigers’ big-league roster reaching free agency of their own accord, although several others could be cut loose in the next six weeks. Outfielder Robbie Grossman (traded) and right-handed pitcher Michael Pineda (released) would also be in line for traditional free agency if they were still around. For the Tigers, Norris started, worked as a long reliever and even performed some situational lefty duties.
mlive.comTigers make 2 deals, but little progress for 2023: Takeaways from MLB trade deadline
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Detroit Tigers made two deals in the 24 hours leading up to Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline. But it’s more likely rooted in a belief that the offseason is a better time than the trade deadline to address next year’s needs. The uncertainty surrounding Chafin’s contract in 2023 made it difficult for the Tigers to get full value in any trade. For days there was consternation among some fans that Avila and the Tigers would trade ace pitcher Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ lack of action at the trade deadline can’t translate into to lack of action this winter.
mlive.comTigers’ Michael Fulmer walks to other side of stadium after trade to Twins
MINNEAPOLIS -- Longtime Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer was traded to the Minnesota Twins minutes before Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline. Fulmer was one of two deadline deals made by the Tigers: They traded outfielder Robbie Grossman to the Atlanta Braves on Monday night. The Tigers acquired minor-league pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long from the Twins. Thank you, Michael, for your contributions to the Tigers organization and city of Detroit over the last six seasons. pic.twitter.com/Vn2s0vQrwW — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) August 2, 2022TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (39)Players in bold are on the active rosterLeft-handed pitchers (4): Tyler Alexander, Andrew Chafin, Tarik Skubal, Gregory Soto, Joey Wentz.
mlive.comBraves send postseason star Smith to Astros for RHP Odorizzi
The World Series champion Atlanta Braves bolstered their starting staff ahead of the trade deadline Tuesday by giving up a reliever who played a big part in their 2021 title. Poised for another postseason run, the Braves dealt former closer Will Smith to the Houston Astros for right-hander Jake Odorizzi, giving Atlanta a sixth starting pitcher for the final two months of the regular season. The move was the biggest of three deadline deals pulled off by general manager Alex Anthopoulos, who on Monday gave up minor leaguers for corner outfielder Robbie Grossman from Detroit and infielder Ehire Adrianza from Washington.
news.yahoo.comTigers trade outfielder Robbie Grossman to Braves
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Detroit Tigers have traded veteran outfielder Robbie Grossman to the Atlanta Braves. Grossman learned the news shortly after the Tigers lost a 10-inning game to the Minnesota Twins on Monday night at Target Field. With Grossman out, the Tigers’ outfield consists of Riley Greene, Akil Baddoo, Victor Reyes and super utility man Willi Castro. TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (39)Players in bold are on the active rosterLeft-handed pitchers (4): Tyler Alexander, Andrew Chafin, Tarik Skubal, Gregory Soto, Joey Wentz. 60-day IL (5): Catcher Jake Rogers (right elbow sprain); and right-handed pitchers Kyle Funkhouser (right shoulder strain), Matt Manning (right shoulder inflammation), Casey Mize (right elbow sprain) and Spencer Turnbull (right elbow sprain) are on the 60-day injured list, which removes them from the 40-man roster.
mlive.comMLB trade deadline: 5 Tigers most likely to be dealt in next week
DETROIT -- The MLB trade deadline is approaching soon and it will be a major surprise if the Detroit Tigers don’t make at least one deal. There won’t be a perfect overlap between the players the Tigers want to trade and the players other teams are interested in. In this group, he’s the most likely to be dealt and the most likely to have some interested suitors. RHP Michael FulmerRecent history suggests one or two players -- not all five -- will be dealt before Aug. 2. RECENT TIGERS DEALS AT THE DEADLINE2021: Traded LHP Daniel Norris to the Brewers for RHP Reese Olson.
mlive.comTigers beat Athletics to start 2nd half of season on winning note
Robbie Grossman had two RBI doubles to lead the Detroit Tigers to a 7-2 win over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday afternoon at RingCentral Coliseum. It was the first of two games between the Tigers (38-55) and Athletics (32-62) on Thursday and the first game for both teams coming off the All-Star break. 💪 pic.twitter.com/k66AiOCJqO — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) July 21, 2022Tigers starter Tarik Skubal was sterling on Thursday, allowing just one unearned run over six innings in what was likely his best start since June 1. The Tigers were scheduled to play in Oakland early in the season, but the games were postponed due to the ongoing lockout. Box scoreUp nextIn Game 2 of Thursday’s doubleheader, Tigers rookie right-hander Garrett Hill (1-1, 5.73 ERA) will face Athletics right-hander Frankie Montas (3-9, 3.26).
mlive.com5 storylines for Tigers in 2nd half: ‘I don’t see players caving’
DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers start the second part of the 2022 season a bit earlier than most teams, playing a doubleheader on Thursday in Oakland against the Athletics. Only a miracle turnaround will save the Tigers (37-55) from their sixth consecutive losing season and second under manager A.J. I don’t see players caving. “He’s been off and on really for the whole season,” Hinch said. There are players the Tigers would like to unload and players that other teams want to acquire.
mlive.comWhat does Tigers’ outfield situation look like after Akil Baddoo’s return?
What does the return of Akil Baddoo from his two-month sabbatical in Toledo mean for the Detroit Tigers outfield? The Tigers now have five semi-regular outfielders in Baddoo, veteran Robbie Grossman, rookie Riley Greene, Victor Reyes and converted infield Willi Castro. pic.twitter.com/QAaiZuj1NA — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) July 12, 2022Austin Meadows was supposed to be back in the mix by now, and it may have been his recent injury setback that prompted the Tigers to call up Baddoo earlier than planned. But what if the Aug. 2 deadline comes and goes and the Tigers can’t find any takers for Grossman? The Tigers’ starting outfield in 2023 could be three left-handed hitters: Meadows, Greene and Baddoo.
mlive.comWhite Sox take advantage of error, score 2 in 8th of 4-2 win over Tigers
Left fielder Robbie Grossman dropped Luis Robert’s short fly with two outs in the eighth to end his record errorless streak at 440 games and set up two unearned Chicago runs that snapped a tie, lifting the White Sox to a 4-2 win over the Detroit Tigers.
Tigers fall to White Sox after costly error leads to 2 runs
CHICAGO -- Robbie Grossman’s first error since 2018 led to two unearned runs, giving the Chicago White Sox a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Tigers (36-49) and White Sox (41-43) split the four-game series. Grossman’s streak -- the longest by an MLB position player in history -- was over, but the White Sox eighth inning was not. The White Sox tied the game at 2 in the sixth when Gavin Sheets hit a 422-bomb on a 3-2, 2-out pitch from Hutchison. He has been getting plenty of singles, as he entered the game hitting .302 since his last homer on May 15.
mlive.comAkil Baddoo belongs back in Detroit. But where will he fit?
DETROIT -- The old Akil Baddoo appears to be back. The 23-year-old outfielder, who was an unexpected rookie phenom for the Detroit Tigers in 2021, got off to a miserable start in 2022. After being demoted to Triple-A Toledo nearly two months ago, Baddoo struggled through an illness, then injured his oblique. Meadows’ return would give the Tigers five outfielders, and make it even tougher to find an opening for Baddoo. Until then, the Tigers want Baddoo to keep making things difficult.
mlive.comTigers’ Robbie Grossman, finally hitting home runs, still has beef with Comerica Park
Grossman is not the first Tiger to criticize the spacious outfield of Comerica Park, and especially the 420 feet to the wall in center field. Struggling Tigers like Grossman may have felt that power outage more acutely by seeing so many fly balls die on the warning track at Comerica Park. After hitting a career-high 23 homers in 2021, Grossman couldn’t manage even one in 2022. Former Tiger Nick Castellanos famously declared Comerica Park “a joke” a few weeks before he was traded in 2019. And yet, contrary to all those complaints, the numbers show that Comerica Park is not a terrible place to hit.
mlive.comTigers finish homestand on high note with 7-3 win over Texas
DETROIT -- Robbie Grossman hit a three-run home run in the first inning to lead the Detroit Tigers to a 7-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park. The Tigers (26-40) split the four-game series with the Rangers (31-35), finishing an otherwise dismal homestand on a high note. After scoring 14 runs on Saturday, the Tigers have scored five or more runs in consecutive games for the first time all season. The Tigers picked up two more in the fifth thanks largely to three walks by Texas pitching and a two-out, two-run bloop single by Spencer Torkelson. Tigers closer Gregory Soto, who had a blown save in the series opener on Thursday, pitched a 1-2-3 inning to finish the game.
mlive.comTigers manager A.J. Hinch ejected; ump yells, ‘Knock it off, Miggy!’
Hinch was ejected in the third inning on Sunday for arguing balls and strikes. The ejection came right after Tigers outfielder Robbie Grossman was struck out by Texas Rangers starter Dane Dunning. Chirping from the Tigers dugout appeared to be directed at Meals as much as Visconti. Visconti barked back at the Tigers’ bench and appeared to point in Cabrera’s direction, prompting Hinch to come out of the dugout. Visconti could be heard yelling at Cabrera, “Knock it off, Miggy!”Here's the "Knock it off, Miggy!"
mlive.comTigers lineup: Robbie Grossman returns, now batting 7th
DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers outfielder Robbie Grossman will return to the lineup on Sunday after missing one day with a bruised lower leg. Grossman left Friday’s game after fouling a pitch off his leg, then got Saturday off to rest. He’ll bat seventh, which is the lowest he’s been in the lineup since joining the Tigers. Grossman is hitting .201 with a .555 OPS (66 OPS+) in 170 plate appearances this season. The Tigers (24-34) and Jays (34-24) wrap up their three-game series on Sunday at 1:40 p.m. It’s Miggy Celebration Day, and Cabrera will be batting cleanup.
mlive.comTigers lineup: Robbie Grossman not starting on Saturday
DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers outfielder Robbie Grossman, who left Friday’s game after fouling a ball off his leg, is not in the lineup Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays. How we line up for Game 2 vs. Toronto. pic.twitter.com/uLqvQbCZb8 — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 11, 2022In addition to Grossman, catcher Tucker Barnhart, outfielder Derek Hill and infielder/outfielder Kody Clemens will be available off the bench. Saturday’s game will start at 4:10 p.m. at Comerica Park and is second of three games between the Tigers (23-34) and Jays (34-23). Tigers rookie right-hander Beau Brieske (0-5, 4.93 ERA) will face Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (5-4, 2.78).
mlive.comTigers expand outfield options by activating Victor Reyes from IL
DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers reinstated outfielder Victor Reyes from the injured list before Saturday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Reyes takes the roster spot of starting pitcher Elvin Rodriguez, who was optioned to Triple-A Toledo following Friday’s game. Reyes was placed on the injured list 26 days ago with a right quad strain. TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (39)Left-handed pitchers (7): Tyler Alexander*, Andrew Chafin, Sam Howard, Eduardo Rodriguez*, Tarik Skubal, Gregory Soto, Joey Wentz. * On the 10-day injured list.
mlive.comTigers option rookie pitcher to Toledo after rough outing Friday
DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers optioned rookie right-hander Elvin Rodriguez to Triple-A Toledo shortly after their 10-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. We saw it.”The likeliest candidate to take Rodriguez’s spot in the rotation is veteran lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (no relation). But as Eduardo won’t be needed for another five days, the Tigers will use Elvin’s roster spot for another purpose in the meantime. Tigers outfielder Robbie Grossman left Friday’s game in the eighth inning after fouling a ball off his lower leg. TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (39)Left-handed pitchers (7): Tyler Alexander*, Andrew Chafin, Sam Howard, Eduardo Rodriguez*, Tarik Skubal, Gregory Soto, Joey Wentz.
mlive.comTigers rookie starter rocked again as Jays win series opener, 10-1
DETROIT -- Rookie starter Elvin Rodriguez was rocked for the second start in a row as the Detroit Tigers were routed by the Toronto Blue Jays 10-1 on Friday night at Comerica Park. The Tigers (23-34) have two more this weekend against the Blue Jays (34-23), whose fans contributed a significant portion of the 26,226 fans in attendance Friday night. The Tigers couldn’t muster much offense against Jays starter Jose Berrios until the eighth inning, when Willi Castro hit a deep sacrifice fly to score Spencer Torkelson, who had reached on a single earlier in the inning. Box scoreUp nextThe Tigers and Jays meet again on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. at Comerica Park. Tigers rookie right-hander Beau Brieske (0-5, 4.93 ERA) will face Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (5-4, 2.78 ERA).
mlive.comTigers lineup: Robbie Grossman leading off in first game back from IL
DETROIT -- Robbie Grossman, just reinstated from the injured list, will lead off and play left field for the Detroit Tigers on Friday at Comerica Park. He’ll share the outfield with right fielder Austin Meadows, who just returned from the IL three days ago, and center fielder Derek Hill. The Tigers (23-33) open a three-game series and a 10-game homestand at 7:10 p.m. against the Toronto Blue Jays (33-23). Tigers rookie right-hander Elvin Rodriguez (0-1, 10.13 ERA) will face Jays right-hander Jose Berrios (4-2, 5.24). The Tigers went 2-3 on their most recent road trip, getting swept in three games by the New York Yankees and then winning back-to-back games against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
mlive.comTigers bring back Robbie Grossman, but place another outfielder on injured list
DETROIT -- The Detroit TIgers have reinstated outfielder Robbie Grossman from the 10-day injured list before Friday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays. In a corresponding move, the Tigers placed outfielder Daz Cameron on the injured list. TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (39)Left-handed pitchers (7): Tyler Alexander*, Andrew Chafin, Sam Howard, Eduardo Rodriguez*, Tarik Skubal, Gregory Soto, Joey Wentz. * On the 10-day injured list. Outfielder Daz Cameron was placed on the injured list without a designation, which typically means he is out for COVID-related reasons.
mlive.comTigers put Jeimer Candelario on injured list, activate veteran outfielder
The Detroit Tigers have placed infielder Jeimer Candelario on the 10-day injured list after he injured his left shoulder while diving for a ball on Sunday in New York. In a corresponding move, outfielder Austin Meadows was reinstated from the injured list. pic.twitter.com/ExVKzV7Fuk — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 7, 2022TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (40)Left-handed pitchers (7): Tyler Alexander*, Andrew Chafin, Sam Howard, Eduardo Rodriguez*, Tarik Skubal, Gregory Soto, Joey Wentz. * On the 10-day injured list. Catcher Jake Rogers (right elbow sprain); and right-handed pitchers Jose Cisnero (right shoulder sprain), Kyle Funkhouser (right shoulder strain), Casey Mize (right elbow sprain) and Spencer Turnbull (right elbow sprain) are on the 60-day injured list, which removes them from the 40-man roster.
mlive.comTigers place Robbie Grossman on injured list, call up rookie prospect for debut
DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers have placed outfielder Robbie Grossman on the 10-day injured list after he left Sunday’s game with a neck sprain. To take his place, the Tigers are recalling infielder Kody Clemens from Triple-A Toledo. pic.twitter.com/owmb9CluBU — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 30, 2022TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (40)Left-handed pitchers (7): Tyler Alexander*, Andrew Chafin, Sam Howard, Eduardo Rodriguez*, Tarik Skubal, Gregory Soto, Joey Wentz. * On the 10-day injured list. Catcher Jake Rogers (right elbow sprain); and right-handed pitchers Jose Cisnero (right shoulder sprain), Kyle Funkhouser (right shoulder strain) and Spencer Turnbull (right elbow sprain) are on the 60-day injured list, which removes them from the 40-man roster.
mlive.comTigers homer 3 times to beat Twins in 10 innings
The Twins, who had their six-game winning streak stopped, loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom half. Castro hit solo home runs in the sixth and eighth innings, after going deep only nine times in his first 799 major league at-bats. His first homer off Twins starter Dylan Bundy stopped a 16-inning scoreless streak for the Tigers, who have only 25 homers in 43 games for the fewest in baseball. Wily Peralta, Joe Jiménez, Gregory Soto and Alex Lange (1-1) kept the Twins off the board after García departed. When Bundy’s curveball bounced in the dirt and skipped to the right of the catcher Sánchez, Hill aggressively raced home.
mlive.comShane Bieber strikes out 10, but Cleveland Guardians fall to Tigers. 4-2
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The lines of communications between the Guardians pitchers and hitters still experiencing static. In their last 10 games, the Guardians have supported the starting rotation with two or fewer runs nine times. The Tigers took a 3-2 lead in the fifth as Tucker Barnhart scored from second on an error by first baseman Josh Naylor. Gimenez, starting at short, assisted Bieber in the third after Grossman opened the inning with a double. -Guardians merchandise for sale: Here’s where you can order new Cleveland Guardians gear, including T-shirts, hats, jerseys, hoodies, and much more.
mlive.comTigers’ Robbie Grossman sets an incredible record that he’d rather not talk about
DETROIT -- Sometimes milestones are anticipated weeks or months in advance, like Miguel Cabrera’s chase for 500 home runs and 3,000 hits. Raise your hand if you knew Detroit Tigers outfielder Robbie Grossman was closing in on 400 consecutive games without an error? Or that he was about to set a record for the longest errorless streak by any position player in MLB history? pic.twitter.com/QQdrV7lB4N — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 10, 2022“I didn’t know that,” said Tigers manager A.J. “I go to the park every day trying to get a little better and stay true to myself,” he said.
mlive.comTigers lineup: Willi Castro starting in left field
Willi Castro will start in left field for the Detroit Tigers as they face the Oakland Athletics at 7:10 p.m. at Comerica Park. On the season he’s hitting .231 with a .632 OPS (96 OPS+). He’s hitting .344 (11-for-32) on the season. Tigers lefty Joey Wentz will make his Major League debut on Wednesday against A’s lefty Zach Logue (1-1, 2.84 ERA). On Tuesday, A’s starter Adrian Martinez (making his first MLB start) defeated Alex Faedo (making his second career start).
mlive.comTigers’ Robbie Grossman takes a little of Houston with him wherever he goes
HOUSTON -- Detroit Tigers outfielder Robbie Grossman grew up in greater Houston, started his professional career with the Astros and takes a little bit of the city wherever he goes. “It’s something I’ve always rolled with,” Grossman said Thursday before the Tigers opened a series at Minute Maid Park. But not every day was so successful, and Grossman struggled to stick as an everyday player. Since joining the Tigers, Grossman’s excellent plate discipline has been exactly as advertised: He’s walked in 14.3 percent of plate appearances since 2021. He’s hitting .282 with a .384 on-base percentage in 86 plate appearances, although he’s yet to hit his first home run.
mlive.comTigers lineup: Robbie Grossman back after getting hit by pitch on Sunday
DETROIT -- Robbie Grossman is back in the lineup after leaving Sunday’s game with a right hand contusion. Grossman was hit by a pitch in the second inning and left the game a few minutes later. Grossman will lead off on Tuesday as the Tigers (7-14) open a brief two-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates (9-13) at Comerica Park. The first pitch is 7:10 p.m., although the area has been doused by steady rain all afternoon. Tigers right-hander Michael Pineda (1-1, 3.60 ERA) will face Bucs right-hander Bryse Wilson (0-0, 4.70).
mlive.comTigers outfielder leaves game after being hit by pitch
LOS ANGELES -- Detroit Tigers outfielder Robbie Grossman left Sunday’s game in the second inning after being hit in the right hand by a pitch. Grossman was in visible pain as he made his way to first after getting hit by Los Angeles Dodgers starter Walker Buehler’s 93 mph fastball. The club’s initial report was that Grossman had a right hand contusion. The Tigers are off on Monday before starting a two-game series at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night. He stole his first base of the season in the first inning after drawing a lead-off walk.
mlive.com24 seconds of chaos: Dissecting the final play of Tigers’ win that got tossed away
In the bottom of the ninth inning on Tuesday night, Detroit Tigers catcher Eric Haase had no such advantage. Twins base runners (Trevor Larnach at second and Gio Urshela at first) had to hold up to make sure Grossman didn’t catch the ball. 0:09 Schoop’s relayRight as relay man Jonathan Schoop caught the ball, Larnach was slamming on the brakes as he rounded third base. Sano is only about 15 feet from second base when Haase has the ball in his possession for the first time. Urshela was literally standing on second base, but panicked when he saw Sano racing toward him and started breaking for third.
mlive.comTigers lineup: Javier Baez will miss 4th straight start on Saturday
-- Outfielder Robbie Grossman is back in the Detroit Tigers’ lineup after missing three games with an injury, but shortstop Javier Baez will miss a fourth day. Dustin Garneau will make his second start of the season behind the plate. Harold Castro will get his fourth straight start at shortstop in place of Baez. pic.twitter.com/PmOnsasP5Q — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 16, 2022Right-hander Matt Manning will make his second start of the season for the Tigers. Catcher Tucker Barnhart; outfielders Victor Reyes, Akil Baddoo and Austin Meadows; and possibly shortstop Javier Baez will be available off
mlive.comTigers place Casey Mize on injured list; young outfielder activated
-- The Detroit Tigers have placed starting pitcher Casey Mize on the 10-day injured list after he experienced elbow soreness following his start on Thursday night. To take Mize’s place on the roster, the Tigers activated outfielder Daz Cameron prior to Friday night’s game against the Kansas City Royals. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Mize went posted a 3.71 ERA in 150 1/3 innings for the Tigers in 2021. He finished behind Victor Reyes and Derek Hill in the roster battle to be the Tigers’ reserve outfielder this spring. Catcher Jake Rogers (right elbow sprain); and right-handed pitchers Jose Cisnero (right shoulder sprain) and Spencer Turnbull (right elbow sprain) are on the 60-day injured list, which removes them from the 40-man roster.
mlive.comJavier Baez reveals that his injury stems from Tigers’ Opening Day celebration
-- The Detroit Tigers’ walk-off celebration on Opening Day is the source of the frustrating thumb injury that has sidelined Javier Baez for the last three games. Baez didn’t miss any time initially, but a couple days later he aggravated the injury while at the plate. He was a late scratch from the starting lineup on Wednesday and Thursday and was held out of Friday’s game to give him another full day of rest. Baez took grounders before Friday’s game and hopes to return to the lineup on Saturday. Grossman will do a full slate of work before Friday’s game and, if things go well, might even be available off the bench.
mlive.comTigers lineup: 2 starters miss third straight game with injury
-- Outfielder Robbie Grossman and shortstop Javier Baez will miss their third consecutive start when the Detroit Tigers play the Kansas City Royals on Friday at Kauffman Stadium. Grossman has been battling groin and hip tightness since tweaking a muscle in Tuesday’s game at Detroit. Victor Reyes will play in place of Grossman, while Harold Castro will sub in for Baez. Lefty Tarik Skubal is on the mound for the Tigers against Royals right-hander Brad Keller, who pitched six scoreless innings in his debut. The Tigers have been debating whether Grossman’s injury is serious enough to warrant a stint on the injured list.
mlive.comTigers lineup: Javier Baez returns for opener against Royals
-- Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez is back in the lineup after missing one day due to a swollen thumb. pic.twitter.com/SRrS1qgMzm — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 14, 2022Outfielder Daz Cameron accompanied the team to Kansas City and is on standby in case the Tigers decide to place Grossman on the injured list. Grossman did a series of running and agility drills on the field prior to Thursday night’s series opener at Kauffman Stadium. The Tigers (2-4) and Royals (2-3) play at 8:10 p.m.Right-hander Casey Mize will pitch for the Tigers against Royals veteran right-hander Zack Greinke. Greinke ultimately signed with the Royals, the team that drafted him 20 years ago.
mlive.comTigers injuries: Javier Baez getting treatment for swollen thumb
DETROIT -- Javier Baez missed his first game as a Detroit Tiger on Wednesday afternoon. “Right after the media session this morning I ran into him and he talked about getting jammed yesterday,” Tigers manager A.J. “His thumb was a little swelled up.”Hinch said Baez got treatment during the game and he’s hopeful that he won’t be out long. Hinch said the early aches and strains around the league illustrate the perils of a short spring training, and also show why so many managers are giving off-days generously. “These guys are not machines, and they haven’t had a full spring training yet, even to this day.”
mlive.comDetroit Tigers acquire minor-league utility player from Milwaukee Brewers
The Detroit Tigers acquired minor-league utility player Jamie Westbrook from the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday in return for cash considerations. The Tigers added Daz Cameron to the taxi squad in response and could be called up to the major-league roster if Grossman misses time. Last season, Westbrook was a member of Team USA in the Olympics before spending the rest of his season with Milwaukee’s Double-A and Triple-A affiliates. The Detroit Tigers currently have Jonathan Schoop and Harold Castro listed as second base options with Grossman, Reyes, Hill, Austin Meadows, Akril Baddoo and Eric Haase in the outfield. Willi Castro, Kody Clemens, and Zack Short are currently minor-league infielders on the Tigers’ 40-man roster with Daz Cameron as the only minor-league outfielder on the 40-man list.
mlive.comTigers weighing injured list for Robbie Grossman
DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers outfielder Robbie Grossman will miss Wednesday’s series finale but it remains unclear whether he will have to go on the injured list. He’s getting every test imaginable now.”The Tigers summoned outfielder Daz Cameron from Triple-A Toledo late Tuesday night as a precaution. In the next 24-48 hours the Tigers will decide whether to place Grossman on the IL and activate Cameron. Grossman, 32, was one of the Tigers’ most reliable hitters in 2021 although he’s gotten off to a slow start this season (1-for-17). He finished behind Victor Reyes and Derek Hill in the roster battle to be the Tigers’ reserve outfielder this spring.
mlive.comTigers lineup: Miguel Cabrera getting day off in series finale
DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera will get an off-day on the final afternoon of a season-opening, six-game homestand at Comerica Park. The Tigers (2-3) play the Boston Red Sox (2-3) at 1:10 p.m. on Wednesday if the rain holds off. The Tigers will make a decision in the next 48 hours whether to place him on the injured list. pic.twitter.com/dLSwGFin6h — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 13, 2022Eric Haase will start at designated hitter in place of Cabrera, while Victor Reyes will lead off and play right field instead of Grossman. Tigers lefty Eduardo Rodriguez will make his second start of the season and his first against his longtime team.
mlive.comTigers’ Opening Day lineup: Robbie Grossman in lead-off spot
DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers have revamped their lineup for 2022, but one thing remains the same:Robbie Grossman in the leadoff spot. New acquisition Austin Meadows will hit second, pushing Akil Baddoo down to seventh in the order. The rest of the lineup remains similar to the way manager A.J. Including starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, five members of the Opening Day lineup were acquired or promoted to the team since the end of last season. Former Tigers second baseman Josh Harrison is in the Opening Day starting lineup for the Sox.
mlive.comTigers remember impact of Kimera Bartee: ‘He’s with us every day on the field’
When Grossman was an 18-year-old recent draft pick in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, Bartee was one of his most impactful coaches. Bartee passed away suddenly five days before Christmas in his hometown of Omaha, Neb., at the age of 49. The news stunned Grossman and his Tigers teammates, who remembered Bartee as a ceaselessly upbeat and kind coach who cared personally about his players. Bartee spent a decade in pro ball as a player, including four years with the Tigers from 1996-1999, before transitioning to coaching. “I just remember how much energy he brought every single day and how he loved to be out there.
mlive.comTigers’ future financial commitments through 2027
When the Detroit Tigers signed the veteran outfielder to a very modest two-year, $10 million contract last winter, it was the first time the Tigers were willing to make a multi-year commitment to a player -- any player -- in five years. But the Tigers got serious this winter, adding Rodriguez (five years, $77 million) and Baez (six years, $140 million) on big deals. The new players will boost the Tigers’ playoff chances in 2022, but will also make an impact on the payroll well into the future. The Tigers shed salary during the rebuilding process, but couldn’t get rid of their two biggest albatrosses. The Tigers will probably have a roughly league average payroll in 2022, not anywhere near a luxury tax penalty.
mlive.comTigers bet on Robbie Grossman with 2-year contract. Now it’s paying off big.
“I’m happy to be a Tiger. I’m happy to know where I’m living next year. I’m happy to know where I’m going to be in spring training, and I’m excited for 2022,” he said during a dugout interview last month before the final series of the regular season in Chicago. On a team that almost never drew walks, Grossman’s attention to the strike zone was just what the Tigers needed. Grossman turned 32 in September, but he’s already shown the ability to make an impact even in a “post-prime” year.
mlive.comTigers’ 2022 payroll outlook: Potentially tens of millions to spend?
Is it too much to ask the 2022 Tigers -- who hope to contend for the playoffs -- to equal the payroll of that woeful club? If the Tigers decide to shoot for the league average -- about $130 million or so -- they’d have $55 million to spend. And in the unlikely event that Ilitch decided to emulate his late father by putting the Tigers’ payroll among the highest in baseball -- about $200 million -- the Tigers could conceivably have $125 million to spend. Other considerations ($14 million)The Tigers are not expected to be close to the luxury tax threshold (and we don’t even know yet what the 2022 luxury tax threshold will be) so this is a moot point. But if you were calculating their total payroll for the purposes of the luxury tax you would add about $15 million in player benefits.
mlive.comTigers deserve to celebrate their turnaround season. But now the hard part begins.
CHICAGO -- When the Detroit Tigers finished the 162nd game of the season with a victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon, manager A.J. Hinch didn’t gather his club for a postseason chat. The Tigers didn’t throw in the towel on the season from that point forward. But amid all the praise for the Tigers’ turnaround in 2021, Hinch wanted to also sound a note of caution. When a team expected to make the playoffs flirts with .500, fans start sharpening the pitchforks.
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