The Detroit Tigers have begun full squad workouts at Spring Training. They will play their first game of the schedule on Saturday at 1:05 PM EST. They will face the Philadelphia Phillies and will have Kenta Maeda on the mound. They’ve also issued an update on those currently dealing with injuries.
SS – Javier Baez
Baez is currently completing full hitting and fielding drills. He will also be working on base running later this week. Baez didn’t finish last season due to right hip and lumbar spine inflammation. He finished last season playing in 80 games with a slash line of .184/.221/.294; he had 12 doubles, six home runs, 37 RBI, 25 runs scored, eight stolen bases, and 12 walks.
RHP – Alex Cobb
Cobb who the Tigers signed this offseason is dealing with right hip inflammation and is completing rehab daily. He made three starts last season going 2-1 with a 2.76 ERA, a 3.29 FIP, a 1.04 WHIP, and a 5.5 K/9. He made two starts last postseason. In one of those against Detroit, he went three innings. He gave up two runs on three hits. He walked three and struck out three.
RHP – Wilmer Flores
Flores also completing rehab daily and is dealing with right shoulder inflammation. Last season he pitched at West Michigan, Lakeland, and Toledo. He made 20 appearances with two coming as starts going 2-3 with a 7.84 ERA, a 1.97 WHIP, and an 8.4 K/9.
RHP – Sawyer Gipson-Long
Gipson-Long is completing a scheduled recovery from the throwing phase. He will resume his return to play throwing program later this week. He is dealing with left hip labral repair and right UCL reconstruction. He made just one start last season and that came at Single-A Lakeland. Gipson-Long went three innings giving up one run on three hits; he didn’t issue a walk and struck out four.
RHP – Alex Lange
Lange is expected to throw a bullpen today as he works his way back from right lat repair. He went 0-3 in 21 games last season with a 4.34 ERA, and two saves. Lange lost his closer role.
RHP – Tyler Mattison
Mattison is also throwing a bullpen today as he is coming back from right UCL reconstruction. He hasn’t pitched since 2023 when he was with High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie. He combined to make 41 appearances with five of those coming as starts. He went 5-1 with a 2.41 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, and a 13.7 K/9.
RHP – Ricky Vanasco
Vanasco is playing catch six times per week now as he is coming back from right hip labaral repair. The Tigers acquired him on July 29, 2024, and re-signed him this offseason. In two appearances last season, he went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, a 3.17 FIP, a 0.00 WHIP, and zero strikeouts.
