Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Franklin Perez (shoulder) has resumed his throwing program. The 24-year-old right-hander was once a highly regarded prospect and part of the Justin Verlander trade from 2017. Sadly, Perez has struggled to stay healthy and has not pitched since 2019. He underwent right shoulder surgery last May, but appears to be on the right track now. There is still plenty of upside for Perez, but it's unclear if the team plans to keep him as a starter or move him to a relief role. A shift to a shorter relief role could put Perez on a faster track to the big leagues. Regardless, Perez won't have relevance in fantasy formats right away.

DETROIT (AP) — This year, the start of spring training was meaningful in a different way for AJ Hinch. After winning a World Series and two pennants as Houston's manager, Hinch spent last season serving a suspension in the aftermath of the Astros' sign-stealing scandal. Now he has resurfaced with Detroit, and although it would be a surprise if the Tigers make the postseason, Hinch just appreciates the opportunity to be back in a big league dugout. “I hated being out of the game last year," said Hinch, who was hired as Detroit's manager in October. "I understand why, and I’m not going to take it for granted that I get to put on a major league uniform again and lead a group of guys throughout the season.” The Tigers had their first workout for pitchers and catchers Wednesday in Lakeland, Florida. “It rained before and after our workout, but we got in the full day one," Hinch said. "Pretty fun day.” Hinch and the Astros won the World Series in 2017, but an investigation found the Astros used... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Casey Mize is not starting the season with the Detroit Tigers, who reassigned him and several other top prospects to their alternate training location Monday.Mize, a right-hander who was the top pick in the 2018 draft, has been in camp with the Tigers and certainly could still contribute this year.“From the day we drafted him, that's why we made him 1-1, we thought he was a very special pitcher," general manager Al Avila said. "He's handled himself great, he's a pro, he works very hard, we have high expectations of him, he has high expectations of himself, and he's on the right track.”The Tigers can bring up Mize next Wednesday and still delay his eventual free agency eligibility for a year, but Avila said service time isn’t part of his thought process. Detroit also reassigned right-hander Matt Manning, outfielder Riley Greene and infielder Spencer Torkelson to the alternate training location. Torkelson was the top pick in this year's draft.“The guys that are going to be... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Casey Mize is not starting the season with the Detroit Tigers, who reassigned him and several other top prospects to their alternate training location Monday.Mize, a right-hander who was the top pick in the 2018 draft, has been in camp with the Tigers and certainly could still contribute this year. “From the day we drafted him, that's why we made him 1-1, we thought he was a very special pitcher," general manager Al Avila said. "He's handled himself great, he's a pro, he works very hard, we have high expectations of him, he has high expectations of himself, and he's on the right track.”Avila said service time isn’t part of his thought process. Detroit also reassigned right-hander Matt Manning, outfielder Riley Greene and infielder Spencer Torkelson to the alternate training location. Torkelson was the top pick in this year's draft.“The guys that are going to be going to Toledo, to let's say practice and do the intrasquad games and things of that nature, it's going to be more... [More]

Top prospect Wander Franco is part of the Tampa Bay Rays' 60-man player pool, and the Detroit Tigers are including their most heralded young pitchers as baseball gears up for its abbreviated season.Sunday was the deadline for teams to submit player pools, although additions can be made later. Many teams announced pools well below the 60-player limit.Franco, a 19-year-old shortstop, is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline. He spent last season at Class A, so it would be quite a jump for him to contribute in the majors in the immediate future, but putting him in the player pool makes him an option for the Rays — and could help his development in a year when the coronavirus shut down the minor leagues.Pitcher Brendan McKay and infielder Vidal Brujan, two other top Tampa Bay prospects, also made the pool.“They are some of our more advanced prospects," Rays general manager Erik Neander said. “Certainly on the position player side that’s where things went and why Wander was... [More]

Top prospect Wander Franco is part of the Tampa Bay Rays' 60-man player pool, and the Detroit Tigers are including their most heralded young pitchers as baseball gears up for its abbreviated season.Sunday was the deadline for teams to submit player pools, although additions can be made later. Many teams announced pools well below the 60-player limit.Franco, a 19-year-old shortstop, is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline. He spent last season at Class A, so it would be quite a jump for him to contribute in the majors in the immediate future, but putting him in the player pool makes him an option for the Rays — and could help his development in a year when the coronavirus shut down the minor leagues.Pitcher Brendan McKay and infielder Vidal Brujan, two other top Tampa Bay prospects, also made the pool.“They are some of our more advanced prospects," Rays general manager Erik Neander said. “Certainly on the position player side that’s where things went and why Wander was... [More]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Casey Mize was the No. 1 pick in the 2018 amateur draft, and Matt Manning was a first-round selection two years earlier. Those two pitchers are the headliners of Detroit's rebuilding process — and they aren't the only Tigers prospects worth paying attention to this year.“I think there's some other names that probably should be involved in that as well," Mize said. "We have a really good group, honestly. The more people we can attach to that headline, is probably for the better. That's good news for Tigers fans, good news for the organization.”The Tigers held their first workout for pitchers and catchers Wednesday, and while only the most optimistic Detroit fan would predict a great season, there are finally some signs of promise. Mize, Manning and Tarik Skubal are all in camp as non-roster invitees. Although none of them are expected to be in the big leagues on opening day, they could form the core of the Tigers' rotation of the future.“I think that's something this... [More]