Tigers GM Al Avila just announced that Spencer Torkelson will make the Opening Day roster. Miguel Cabrera presented him with a first baseman's glove in what Avila said was an emotional moment in A.J. Hinch's office.
Miguel Cabrera was asked about possibly reaching 3,000 against the Yankees.
"A scout from the Yankees told me, 'If you make it, it's going to be as a pitcher.'
"He got fired."
Miguel Cabrera had a press conference with Venezuelan media this morning. I thought the most interesting part was when spoke about his post-playing aspirations.
(translated from Spanish)
A.J. Hinch said Spencer Torkelson was called to his office under the guise of discussing infield defense, including his recent collision with Javy Baez. Miggy was ostensibly there to offer advice on proper fundamentals.
Then they told him the real reason: He had made the team.
Jordan Zimmermann and his wife Mandy have donated $500,000 to support the baseball team at their alma mater, Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Jordan was a pitcher for the Pointers; Mandy was an outfielder on the softball team.
The baseball stadium will be renamed Zimmermann Field.
The Tigers are 1 1/2 games out of last AL wild card spot.
Gardenhire: "Our goal is to try to get in the playoffs. I said that and people laughed at me. And now all of sudden we're back at .500 and everybody wants to talk about it. But I've been saying that the whole time."
The Tigers (7-5) have now played 20 percent of their games in 2020.
If the season ended right this instant, they would get the 4th seed and host a 3-game playoff series at Comerica Park.
Tigers GM Al Avila on the Austin Meadows trade:
"I've got to thank (owner) Chris Ilitch because he allowed it to happen. We added to the payroll. Obviously he had to sign off on it. He said, 'If you and A.J. think you need him, go get him.'"
Listening to Miguel Cabrera's Spanish interviews from last night, he was asked about getting dunked with the water bucket after the game by Akil Baddoo.
Cabrera, who will be a special assistant in the front office, replied with a laugh, "He's going to pay for that next year."
The team said Jason Benetti will be employed by the Tigers (like Dan Dickerson), rather than Bally Sports.
He'll broadcast at least 127 games per year. When Benetti has other obligations, Dickerson will move over to handle TV duties.
Tigers' bullpen now has the best ERA in all of baseball: 2.12 ERA in 80 2/3 IP, 32 BB, 73 K , 3 HR.
That's without Cisnero, Funkhouser, Chafin (until recently).
Tigers to homer in their first MLB at-bat:
2021 Akil Baddoo
2020 Sergio Alcantara
2015 Daniel Norris
1974 Reggie Sanders
1970 Gene Lamont
1964 Bill Roman
1963 Gates Brown
1948 Sam Vico
1944 Hack Miller
A.J. Hinch expressed thanks to Cleveland for their patience and support during today's delays.
"The Guardians organization is a class act. We gave them a heads-up and I talked to Tito this morning. They allowed us to have that moment."
"I feel really good here. I feel really comfortable here. And I wanted to stay here. I'm really happy. This is one of the happiest days of my life." -- Jonathan Schoop
Kenta Maeda via interpreter: "Ever since joining the Tigers, I haven't been able to contribute positively with my pitching. (The ovation today) really made me feel great, and I hope to continue to do that going forward."
Very warm ovation for Kenta Maeda as he leaves the mound after a strong relief outing.
Final line:
3 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K.
55 pitches, 34 strikes.
Spencer Torkelson said the first call he made upon hearing the news was to his parents.
"You could tell they were choking up a little bit and it took a lot out of me to not cry....Without their sacrifice I wouldn't be in the position I'm in. To share that with them is awesome."
Unsung heroes from today's game: Drew Hutchison, Alex Lange and Jacob Barnes, who pitched 4 scoreless innings of relief and allowed the Tigers to get back into the game.
Hutchison and Barnes were both non-roster invitees who made the club at the end of spring.
Spencer Torkelson said his initial reaction was disbelief when the ball was immediately hit to Miguel Cabrera at first base: "Did that just happen? The baseball gods are real."
Tigers closer Shane Greene figures his parents are more excited than anyone about his All-Star selection.
"I don't have a kid. But I have a dog who means the world to me. If my dog were an All-Star, I'd be pretty excited."
TV showed a Rangers fan toss Justyn-Henry Malloy's home run ball over to the rail to the Tigers' bullpen, where Andrew Chafin has it for safekeeping. No deal-making required. Nice gesture.
Miguel Cabrera, who was the source of much of the barking from the dugout, is still giving Visconti a hard time.
He seems to be loudly and sarcastically cheering every correct ball call.
Ron Gardenhire: "What I want to know is if there's any manager that's ever been thrown out of 162 straight games. Because I have a chance. I don't know how many other people have that opportunity."
A.J. Hinch on Austin Meadows:
"I want him to find peace in his life way more than I want to see anything about his baseball career. When we didn't bring him back, I let him know that just because we don't wear the same uniform, it doesn't mean he doesn't have an ally in me."
Tigers GM Al Avila said LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (restricted list) is not communicating with the club.
"We reached out, but he hasn't reached out back. We're just kind of waiting it out...It is unusual. But we have no choice but to wait and see what develops as we move forward."
Very warm ovation for Kenta Maeda as he leaves the mound after a strong relief outing.
Final line:
3 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K.
55 pitches, 34 strikes.
A.J. Hinch was asked about attracting free agents this winter.
"If the Tigers' organization does a good job, we're going to reestablish ourselves as a winning franchise and develop a winning culture. If you want to be a part of it, then come. If you don't, then we'll beat you."
Tigers GM Al Avila said no service time games w/ Tork and Greene.
"I'm not arrogant enough to think that I can hold a guy back because we're going to make the playoffs anyway. You go full bore from Day 1 because those games at the beginning can mean everything at the end."
A.J. Hinch on Houston:
"When I got to Detroit, it was the first time I managed (in a city) not where I live, not where I call my home...I miss the people. I miss the drive in to the ballpark. I miss being around friends and family on a regular basis."
Matt Stafford, seated in a box next to Tigers owner Christopher Ilitch, just got a loud ovation from fans when he was shown on the video board. He's wearing a Miggy T-shirt.
Hold the phone: There is no suspense. A.J. Hinch told 97.1 just a few minutes ago that Austin Meadows would bat second and that Cabrera would stay at the No. 5 spot, where he's been hitting for most of the spring.
Miguel Cabrera on being part of the group that told Spencer Torkelson he was on the team yesterday: "It was a great moment. To see his face, his emotion, it was a very emotional moment for me and for the guys in the room. I'm so happy for him because he made it."
Last year Spencer Torkelson was demoted to Triple-A as the Tigers went into the All-Star break.
His numbers at that time:
298 PA, 5 HR, 9.7% BB, 25.5% K
.197/.282/.296
His numbers now:
371 PA, 12 HR, 10% BB, 24.2% K
.226/.307/.399
Spencer Torkelson went 0-for-4 with 2 Ks in his debut but made a nice play and a couple of nice scoops at first.
Hinch: "Don't just go to the batting average on Tork. He didn't get that first hit yet but he contributed. We don't win the game without Tork's defense."
This is why Tigers fans should root for Gregory Soto *not* to become the Tigers' closer. The highest-leverage point in this game is right now.
You want Soto pitching now, not pitching in a role whose usage is dictated by a statistic invented by a sportswriter 60 years ago.
In addition to the Tucker Barnhart deal, Tigers GM Al Avila said it's been a busy day of making phone calls, talking to agents.
"It's started already," he said.
#Hotstove
Tigers outfield prospect Riley Greene (foot fracture) has a "big checkup" today, manager A.J. Hinch said. Assuming all goes well, he'll be able to resume baseball activities.
I skipped the press box, bought my own ticket and sat in the stands at Comerica Park for the first time in years.
What I found made me wonder not just about the future of baseball, but spectator sports in general.
Verlander will be a free agent after the 2021 season.
He'll be almost 39 and will have missed two full seasons due to injury.
It's way, way too early. But I can't help but think about the possibility of an end-of-career reunion in Detroit.
I think people underestimate how tough it is to hold a team scoreless when a runner is placed on 2nd base in extra innings.
The Tigers' bullpen has now done it in four innings over three games this year.
The crazy-good bullpen is the biggest reason the Tigers are now 5-0.
Javier Baez asked about boos/negativity from fans:
"I know it's frustrating for the fans, but I think that doesn't really help the team and the organization. If we grind together, we should stand up together, we should stay together when we're down."
Miguel Cabrera on joining Albert Pujols at the All-Star game:
"It's really special. I've always looked up to Albert, always followed his career. He's one of the best hitters I've ever seen in my life. So to be part of this together, it's going to be great."
New Tigers outfielder Austin Meadows was at home in Apollo Beach watching basketball when he found out he was traded. About 10 hours later, he was at Tiger Town in Lakeland. In about 36 hours he'll be on a flight to Detroit.
"I've got to find some cold-weather gear," he said.
Reese Olson's ERA is down to 2.09.
He has allowed only 32 hits in 47 1/3 innings: 26 singles and 6 doubles.
That's 6 extra-base hits over 189 batters faced.
And yet he remains winless through 8 starts.
A.J. Hinch: "Baseball is the best sport in the world. I love other sports. I love people who love other sports. But it's amazing what baseball can create."
Always a risk to introduce the owner and GM in front of the crowd. Smattering of boos for Christopher Ilitch, followed by more than a smattering of boos for Al Avila.
Lost in all this craziness is the fact that the Tigers and Matt Manning were one infield grounder away from their second combined no-hitter in six weeks.
Last 3 Tigers starts...
Mize: 6 IP, 0 R
Skubal: 6 IP, 0 R
Maeda: 5 IP, 0 R
It's the first time the Tigers have had 3 straight shutout starts of 5 innings or more in the same season since September 9-11, 1990. That trio was: Scott Aldred, Frank Tanana and Steve Searcy.
Tarik Skubal getting a lot of hugs and handshakes in the dugout. His first game back is done.
4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 HBP.
57 pitches, 41 strikes.
Reese Olson will take over in the 5th.
Max Clark didn't take BP today as is (was?) the tradition for top draft picks on their visit to Comerica.
"I'm under just a bit of workload protection," he said.
Miguel Cabrera was disappointed.
"He was giving me a little bit of heck for it. He was razzing me about it."
The Tigers brought in like 42 infielders to "compete" for open jobs. After seven weeks and 32 games, they traded for a 28-year-old utility guy who went 3-for-38 in another team's camp.
Remember this the next time someone talks about the importance of spring training.
Announced attendance of 24,685 today at Comerica Park (of whom 9,685 will leave without a Riley Greene floppy hat).
That's the biggest crowd at Comerica since Opening Day on April 6.
A.J. Hinch said he thanked Jonathan Schoop for his time as a Tiger and Schoop thanked him for the opportunity.
"Performace-wise, he was not at his best. But attitude-wise, as a teammate and as a person, you couldn't ask for a lot more out of him."
First Tiger to win this award since Justin Verlander in July 2016.
First Tigers' left-hander since Willie Hernandez in July of 1984 (his Cy Young season).
Miguel Cabrera, on the on-deck circle, calls for his son, who is seated a few rows back.
He clasps his hand under the protective netting and gives him a kiss before going up to the plate.
It's mid-November and Tigers have probably taken care of half their winter to-do list.
1. T̵o̵p̵-̵o̵f̵-̵r̵o̵t̵a̵t̵i̵o̵n̵ ̵t̵y̵p̵e̵ ̵s̵t̵a̵r̵t̵i̵n̵g̵ ̵p̵i̵t̵c̵h̵e̵r̵
2. Shortstop
̵3. C̵a̵t̵c̵h̵e̵r̵
4. More affordable/bounce-back type starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal thru 10 starts this season: 58 2/3 IP, 2.15 ERA, 10 BB, 61 K, 2 HR.
Only three Tigers in the divisional era (1969-present) have a better ERA over their first 10 starts of the season. (Mickey Lolich in '72, Jim Perry in '73 and David Wells in '93).
Miguel Cabrera *will* play tomorrow.
A.J. Hinch said he discussed with Miggy and they didn't want to tempt the fate of the baseball gods. You take home runs when they come, home or road.
Miguel Cabrera in 2021.
As 1B: 175 PA, .305/.394/.483
(.878 OPS)
11.4% BB/17.1% K
As DH: 300 PA, .227/.277/.341
(.617 OPS)
6.7% BB/26.3% K
Doesn't necessarily mean anything, just interesting.
A.J. Hinch asking fans to keep making noise *during* Miguel Cabrera's at-bats, not just before and after. He noted there's been an eery quiet just as the pitcher prepares to deliver.
On a positive note, the Tigers have just completed their most successful first half of the season in eight years.
Tigers at midpoint (81 games):
2024: 37-44
2023: 35-46
2022: 34-47
2021: 36-45
2019: 27-54
2018: 36-45
2017: 36-45
2016: 43-38