The Detroit Tigers have begun their Grapefruit League schedule. They enter today 2-1. This follows an 8-7 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Today, reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will take the ball. They play against the Minnesota Twins at Publix Field at Joker Merchant Stadium in Lakeland, FL. First pitch is set for 1:05 PM EST. An update on the injured players has been released.
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OF – Parker Meadows
Meadows suffered an injury in Saturday’s game to his right arm. They are calling it right upper arm inflammation. He reported arm discomfort during the game. He is being treated daily and will be re-evaluated this week. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious as the Tigers will need their center fielder when the season begins. Last season he hit .244 with a .743 OPS; he had 12 doubles, six triples, nine home runs, 28 RBI, and 39 runs scored.
OF – Akil Baddoo
Baddoo is dealing with a right hamate hook excision and currently completing rehab daily. In 31 games last season, he hit .137 with a .521 OPS; he had two doubles, two triples, two home runs, five RBI, and seven runs scored.
SS – Javier Baez
Baez is going to complete base running today and is working on other camp activities. 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 received an epidural injection to aid his recovery process. He will play catch today. 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 is 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.
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RHP – Sawyer Gipson-Long
Gipson-Long is dealing with left hip labral repair and right UCL reconstruction. He will throw a bullpen on Friday. 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 completing catch daily. He will throw a bullpen on Saturday. He is working 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 will throw 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 threw a bullpen yesterday as he is coming back from right hip labral 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.
