Detroit Tigers ST Day 3: Opening Day

40

The Detroit Tigers kick off Grapefruit League play tomorrow against the defending National League Philadelphia Phillies. Here’s where you can find the game and start time.

  • 1pm
  • TV/Radio-WXYT 1270

Hill on the Hill

Garrett Hill, who is taking the mound for Detroit, talked about what he worked on this off-season.

“ Worked to get stronger and I made a couple of mechanical adjustments to take a lot of stress off the arm. I feel stronger mentally, and I look forward to working with the new mental skills coaches.”

On his windup, which changed towards the end of last season.

“Going overhead is more of like a timing thing for me. Um, just make sure arms on time and everything. And then, in the stretch it’s more like trying to find that hip position for me, lower half, cause obviously I can’t go overhead. And just like feeling that same, feeling like power just coming up through the legs and like out the hand.”

It helped last season with his timing to the plate and saw a slight uptick in velocity.

Colt Keith sends his regards

A.J. Hinch told 3rd baseball prospect Colt Keith he will not be on the Opening Day roster, however, he will get plenty of chances to play in the spring as Hinch said he will play second base and even DH.

Last month, Keith spoke to us about working with Hall of Famer Alan Trammell on fielding grounders while he was in Arizona. Coming back from surgery, he took very little fielding practice, so Trammell helped him get caught back up to speed. So far in spring; he has held his own. He has looked like a major leaguer in camp since it has started.

Bullpen Battles

Right-hander Trey Wingenter, who the Tigers signed to a minor league deal, is competing for a spot in the bullpen. He throws a slider and a fastball, and the slider was on full display on Friday.

He, along with Miguel Diaz, Miguel Del Pozo, Jace Fry, Angel De Jesus, are among the non-roster invites trying to stand out for one of the last spots in the pen. Alex Lange, who is expected to be the closer to the Tigers, struck out Parker Meadows, got Keith on a soft roller and walked Jonathan Schoop.

Detroit Tigers Injury News:

Reese Olson, who the Tigers added to the 40-man roster in the off-season, is not expected to throw until March 1st.