Detroit Tigers Clips Saturday, February 27, 2016

Detroit Free Press Sharp: Tigers' Kinsler no fan of new rule on slides at 2B (Sharp) Tigers aren't concerned with Sanchez's arm soreness (Fenech) Tigers' Boyd added 'another dimension' in off-season (Fenech)

The Detroit News Boyd's sharp raises eyebrows in Tigers camp (McCosky) Sliding rules put onus on baserunner to stay within bag (McCosky) Tigers have 30 giveaways planned for 2016 (Staff)

MLive.com notes: Justin Verlander a minor victim in apparent major crime spree (Iott) Detroit Tigers notes: Brad Ausmus expects Anibal Sanchez to be ready for regular season (Iott) Analysis: It's early, but it's understandable if fans are nervous about Anibal Sanchez (Iott)

MLB.com Under-the-radar Pelfrey could surprise in Detroit (Beck) Renovations to Tigers' spring home on schedule (Beck) Kinsler, Tigers weigh in on rule changes (Beck)

Associated Press Detroit’s Norris taking things slower after turbulent 2015 (Trister)

ESPN.com Tigers' rotation set through Saturday; dealing with illness (Strang) Matt Boyd's slider making an impression in spring training (Strang)

WXYZ.com Detroit Tigers announce 2016 promotional schedule (Staff)

CBSDetroit.com Tigers Announce 2016 Promotional Giveaways Schedule (Staff) 1

Daily Transactions

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Sharp: Tigers' Kinsler no fan of new rule on slides at 2B February 27, 2016 By Drew Sharp/ Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. – Sports come with physical risks. That’s why they require special individuals comfortable with pushing the limits of competitiveness for the sake of potentially changing the outcome of a game. Sometimes that aggressiveness crosses the line. But isn’t that balancing act competition’s most seductive lure? “That’s sports,” Ian Kinsler said Friday. “People watch the UFC. But they get mad when a guy breaks his ankle at second base because of a hard slide. I don’t get it. “I know it’s also a lot about the kids and teaching them how to properly play the game. And I know that is a ‘good old boy game.’ But as long as kids know the right way to play the game, I don’t think we’re hurting anything.” The Tigers’ second baseman understands ’s rule change that seeks to eliminate the “neighborhood tag” during the second base pivot on the double play. The change also placed tougher restrictions on the aggressive “take-out” slide, which precipitated second basemen and shortstops into moving off the base in the first place. But Kinsler isn’t a fan of removing an exciting, physical element of a sport many critics complain remains too placid. “It’s about affecting the game as a player,” Kinsler said. “If you can alter the opposing player’s state of mind by taking him out or throwing up and in, or whatever it may be, that’s the joy of the game as far as I’m concerned.” These rule changes are indicative of players becoming investments more than people. Owners are looking at the price tag now as much as the final score, regardless of the sport. The cost of potential injury is greater. “I don’t know the reasoning behind it,” Kinsler said. “Everyone has an opinion. Everyone wants to rant on one side or the other on something, and I think there’s a lot of pressure when something like that happens and somebody gets injured. It could be the money. It could be the pressure on MLB to change the rule. But I think we’re fine the way we are.” Kinsler is old school. He appreciates the game’s nuances. But he’s also a first-class athlete who understands that the mental aspect of sports is as important as the physical aspect. Get inside your opponent’s head. The pivot man on the double play is no different than a NFL wide receiver going over the middle. Both know they’re going to get popped. Will the receiver still catch the ball? Will the pivot man still make the accurate throw to first to complete the double play? “I’m not for trying to change the exciting play of a guy getting taken out at second,” he said. “That’s part of the game. The players understand that’s part of the game and that you need to understand the speed of the runner and the speed of the ball. The situation of the game. That’s all the stuff that makes baseball exciting. “It’s funny how a guy throws up and in and there’s all this talk, but a guy breaks his nose and gets his lip split in UFC and I guess it’s considered part of the sport, but throwing up and in isn’t. I don’t know.” The rule change is a direct result of the Dodgers’ Chase Utley throwing a late rolling block on Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada during last year’s playoffs. Tejada suffered a broken leg and missed the remainder of the postseason. It likely became a bigger issue because it involved teams from the largest media markets. But MLB overreacted. “That’s competition,” Kinsler said. “That’s business, right? That’s the competitive world of business. Companies, CEOs, everybody’s trying to push the limits to better their team. If you’ve got 25 guys willing to do that, to push that envelope as far as you can within the rules, then it means you’re going to be successful.” Kinsler’s opinion matters more because he’s not an outfielder. He’s a middle infielder who would be on the receiving end on a potentially dangerous hard slide. He understands the risks. He accepts the risks. He just loves the highest level of competition possible. While he understands the rule changes are to promote safety, Kinsler thinks there’s an overemphasis on reducing the physical and mental challenges of athletic competition. “That’s the part of sports that attracts people,” he said. “The raw reality of it. That’s what I like being a part of.”

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Tigers aren't concerned with Sanchez's arm soreness February 27, 2016 By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. – Anibal Sanchez’s arm soreness hasn’t changed the Detroit Tigers’ plans. At least not yet, manager Brad Ausmus said this morning, when asked how the right-hander’s right triceps inflammation could affect the competition for the team’s back-end rotation spots. “We’re not even to that point,” Ausmus said. “The feeling is that (Sanchez) is going to be back and be back in plenty of time.” Sanchez hasn’t thrown since Monday, when he first experienced the arm soreness in a session, and won’t throw again until this upcoming Monday. In the meantime, Ausmus said, there are no plans to move top prospect into a starting role. The competition for at least one – but perhaps as many as two spots if Sanchez’s right arm doesn’t rehabilitate fully in time for the regular season – consists of left-handers and Matt Boyd and righties Shane Greene and . Boyd starts the team’s Grapefruit League opener against the Pirates on Tuesday, Fulmer starts in a split-squad game on Wednesday and Norris on Thursday. Justin Verlander will start against the Yankees on Friday, Ausmus said, and Jordan Zimmermann will start against his former team, the Nationals, on Saturday. Ausmus said the early spring injury to Sanchez is different than the late spring injury to Verlander last season, lower in the arm versus high in the shoulder, where Verlander’s triceps strain was. “We’re not concerned that’s an issue,” Ausmus said about losing Sanchez for an extended period, but in the next breath, “Of course, we weren’t concerned with Verlander, either. But this seems to be less concerning.”

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Tigers' Boyd added 'another dimension' in off-season February 27, 2016 By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The evolution of Detroit Tigers Matt Boyd’s slider began last season -- late in the season -- when he would have a good feel for it on one pitch but not be able to find it the next. “I didn’t really have a slider,” he said. “Some days, it was like, ‘Dang, this thing’s great.’ And three pitches later, it wouldn’t be there.” But this spring, after an off-season focusing on the pitch, which he has termed a hybrid between a cutter and slider, it’s there. And it’s the pitch that Tigers manager Brad Ausmus singled out as the most impressive in camp so far. “It’s shorter and firm and harder,” Ausmus said. On the advice of former pitching coach Jeff Jones, Boyd started throwing the new-look slider in January. The mid-winter repetitions paid off, opening eyes in his first bullpen sessions in Tiger Town. “It’s just another pitch in my repertoire now,” Boyd said. “I got confidence, just as much confidence as I have with all the other five.” Boyd’s slider will allow him to throw an array of movement at hitters this season. His changeup and move down. His two-seam fastball moves horizontally. His four-seam fastball rises. And now, the refined slider breaks hard right. “It adds another dimension,” Boyd said of the slider. After a struggle in his first major league season -- Boyd posted a 7.53 ERA in 13 games with the and Tigers last season -- he recognized the need to evolve on the mound. “It was really just looking at it for what it is and saying, ‘This is what I really need to work on,’” he said. “I was bad. I was deficient in these areas. In those areas, if I don’t evolve, I’m going to be done. It’s just the nature of the beast. So you just have to keep evolving, and I think those last two months were extremely beneficial for me going forward.” Boyd will start the Tigers’ Grapefruit League opener against the on Tuesday. He is one of four players competing for the No. 5 starter spot, and there could be another job open if right-hander Anibal Sanchez can’t shake off his recent arm soreness. “I think that, however you shake it out with the seven, eight guys that we have, we’re going to have one of the best rotations in baseball,” Boyd said. “Competition breeds success.” And he is looking forward to facing some competition with his new-look slider next week. “I can’t wait,” he said. “We work hard often, so I’m excited to go up against someone with a different uniform.”

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Boyd's sharp slider raises eyebrows in Tigers camp February 27, 2016 By Chris McCosky/ The Detroit News

Lakeland, Fla. – Manager Brad Ausmus was asked early Friday if there was one pitch from any pitcher that has impressed him in terms of showing improvement from a year ago. Without hesitation, he said, “Matt Boyd’s slider. It’s shorter and firmer and harder.” Catcher James McCann seconded that. “It’s a pitch he didn’t have last year,” he said. “The way it looks right now, it has a chance to be a very good put-away pitch. It’s tighter, sharper and he has better control of it. He hasn’t reinvented the wheel or anything, but it’s a new pitch for him.” Boyd shrugged his shoulders. “That’s nice but it matters when you start throwing it April 3, or whenever,” he said. “That’s when it really counts. This is all building up to that.” Boyd came to the Tigers from Toronto with Daniel Norris in the trade last July and he took his lumps in 10 late-season starts. He went 1-4 with a 6.57 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. He gave up 12 home runs in those 10 starts. And he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. “It was extremely beneficial,” said the 25-year-old left-hander. “I firmly believe that, you know, I’ve seen it once and now I know what to expect…I look at it for what it was. This is what I have to work on; I was deficient in these areas and if I don’t evolve I am going to be done.” The evolution starts with his slider, though it was far from his worst pitch last season. According to BrooksBaseball.com, opponents hit just .158 off his slider, though the line drive rate on balls in play was high (21 percent). The problem was, his slider became too much like his curve ball – a slow (80 mph) pitch with a 12-to-6 break. “The slider has always been a weapon for me, but as the season went on I just lost the feel for it and it started turning into a slurve,” he said. “Really, down the stretch there was only one game where I threw it well.” His first start with the Tigers was a gem, a seven-inning victory over the Royals. In that one he kept the Royals hitters off balance with the slower slider. His second start was also against the Royals, and though he wound up losing, he pitched well and punched out six hitters with the tighter slider. Unable to maintain consistency with the pitch, he began consulting with former pitching coach Jeff Jones and veteran left-hander Randy Wolf and formulating plans to refashion the pitch in the offseason. “It’s just really hard to make a change on the fly during the season,” Boyd said. “It took a few months of not picking up a baseball and not thinking about it and starting new. I knew what I wanted to do. “Jonesy told me I was going to learn more and more from the season and sure enough, when I started spinning sliders in January, I had an idea what I wanted to do. It was a clean slate. ” He altered his grip, slightly changed his release point and, voila, the slider was boring in at 87-88 mph with tighter spin and a sharper break. “It was just a matter of repeating it and getting consistent with it,” he said. “Just pound it, work it. I feel real comfortable with it now.” As he competes to win the fifth spot in the rotation, he now feels like has a legitimate five-pitch arsenal. “I have a changeup and curve that go straight down,” he said. “I have a four-seamer (fastball) that kind of rises. I have a two-seamer that goes left and a slider that goes right so I feel like I can work everything off those.” The battle for the fifth spot essentially is between Norris, Boyd, Shane Greene and Buck Farmer at this point. There is added intrigue with Anibal Sanchez’s triceps inflammation, though Ausmus reiterated he expects Sanchez to be ready. “I think however it shakes out, with the seven or eight guys we are going to have one of the best rotations in baseball,” Boyd said. “Competition breeds success. We’re all friends and we’re all working toward the ultimate goal of bringing a title to Detroit.” Boyd will make his first spring start Tuesday against the Pirates at Marchant Stadium. 6

Sliding rules put onus on baserunner to stay within bag February 27, 2016 By Chris McCosky/ The Detroit News

Lakeland, Fla. — The way Brad Ausmus and Ian Kinsler see it, the league didn’t so much redefine what constitutes a legal slide as organize and clarify the definition on one. “It sounds like they’re going to enforce the basic rule that was there before,” Ausmus said. “They are clearly trying to avoid injuries at second base.” In the new policy, which was negotiated between the league and players’ association and announced Thursday, a baserunner must: *Slide prior to reaching the base. *Slide so you are able to and attempt to reach or touch the base. *Slide so you are able to and attempt to stay on the base. *Do not change your pathway to the base. “I think they are organizing the rule a little bit to make it more descriptive for the umpires and players to kind of understand what’s obstruction and what isn’t,” Kinsler said. “Before it was basically the umpire’s discretion and every umpire see things differently. So, the rule wasn’t really solid, depending on the angle he had, the speed of the play and the time of the game. “I just think the rule needed to be cleaned up and that’s what they did.” The impetus for the change was a pair of high-profile collisions last season. Pirates rookie Jung Ho Kang had his season ended early when he was taken out well beyond the baseline by Cubs' Chris Coghlan. And, in the playoffs, Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada fractured his right fibula being taken out at second by Dodgers' Chase Utley. While Kinsler appreciates cleaning up the rule, he’s concerned the league is going down a slippery slope trying to legislate contact out of the game. “I am definitely opposed to taking the aggression out of the game,” he said. “If we continue to take exciting plays away from the game, it’s going to be a staring contest out there. Injuries are part of sports in general.” The league took that into consideration when they drafted the changes. They made it clear that a runner can still take out a fielder within the definition of a legal slide. He just can't go out of his way to initiate contact with the fielder. “The only problems for me were guys sliding away from arm’s reach, that lead foot being up in the air, and late slides,” Kinsler said. “Those are three things that I think could’ve been discussed and changed or defined a little better. And that was really it for me. As long as you start your slide before the base and you’re within reach of the base, that’s fair.” Kinsler has always gone in aggressively to break up double plays at second base. This new clarification isn’t going to alter his approach. “I just go hard at the player, I am not trying to start my slide late,” he said. “I’m just trying to distract him from making the play. I am not there to break legs or barrel over him. My job is to break it up, make it hard on the infielder to get the ball to first.” No more neighborhood With a clearer definition of a legal slide in place, the league has no more need to sanction the “neighborhood play” for middle infielders. Previously, fielders could get away with not touching the bag at second to avoid contact with the runner. They need to touch it now. “The neighborhood play is reviewable,” Ausmus said. “You have to touch the base. Generally guys do touch the base. I mean, the runner has to touch the base, why shouldn’t the fielder have to touch the base?” With the new rules, Ausmus said, the video review process for neighborhood play challenges becomes more cut and dry. “The old rule was that neighborhood plays couldn’t be reviewed unless the throw took the middle infielder off the bag,” Ausmus said. “It was much more subjective. Now it’s just, he was on the bag or he wasn’t.” 7

Pace of play The league will also limit mound visits to 30 seconds this season. “That rule won’t affect me nearly as much as it affects Gene Lamont when I get thrown out,” Ausmus joked. “The average mound visit is right around 30 seconds anyway. I am not overly concerned about that one at all.” The rule is a continuance of the pace of play rules put in before the 2015 season — limiting time between innings, keeping hitters in the batter’s box — which shortened games by an average of six minutes. Around the horn Miguel Cabrera took a few ground balls Friday and then abruptly left practice. Ausmus said his stomach felt bad and his head was clogged. “We have had this every spring,” Ausmus said. “I don’t if it’s pollen or allergies or some bug but it seems to hit our clubhouse in some form every year.” … Thursday, Ausmus announced that rookie Kevin Ziomek would start against Florida Southern Monday, Matt Boyd would go Tuesday against the Pirates and that Mike Pelfrey and Buck Farmer would start the split squad games against the Yankees and Pirates on Wednesday. Here’s the rest of the week’s starters — Daniel Norris Thursday against the Braves in Orlando, Justin Verlander Friday against the Yankees at Marchant Stadium and Jordan Zimmermann will make his Tigers spring debut against his former team, the Nationals, in Viera on Saturday.

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Tigers have 30 giveaways planned for 2016 February 27, 2016 By The Detroit News Staff/ The Detroit News

The Tigers have 30 giveaways this season to go along with 17 postgame fireworks extravaganzas following Friday and Saturday night games. Individual tickets for 2016 Tigers home games go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 5. Fans will have the opportunity to buy single game tickets at the Comerica Park Box Office on Witherell Street, online at tigers.com, and by calling 866-66- 2016 TIGERS GIVEAWAY SCHEDULE Saturday, April 9, 2016 Magnet Schedule, first 10,000 fans, Comerica Bank Sunday, April 10, Miguel Cabrera / J.D. Martinez Silver Slugger bat, all kids, Little Caesars Friday, April 22, Shell Eco-marathon 2016 Saltwater Car, first 10,000 fans (Exit), Shell Saturday, April 23, Detroit Tigers Retro-Style Bobblehead, first 10,000 fans, FOX Sports Detroit Sunday, April 24, 2016 Tigers Baseball Card Team Set, all kids, BCBSN Tuesday, April 26, 2016-2017 Detroit Tigers Wall Calendar, first 10,000 fans, Red Robin Friday, May 6, Tigers BP Jersey Tote Bag, first 10,000 fans, MLB Network Sunday, May 8, Pink Out The Park Visor, first 10,000 moms, Delta Air Lines Sunday, May 8, "Mighty Miggy" Children's Book, all kids, Michigan State Police & Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Tuesday, May 17, Ian Kinsler Bobblehead, first 10,000 fans, Dunkin Donuts Sunday, May 22, Jordan Zimmermann Growth Chart, all kids Tuesday, May 24, Patriotic Hat, first 10,000 fans age 21 and older, Miller Lite Saturday, June 4, Negro Leagues Tribute Game Commemorative Hat, first 10,000 fans, Comerica Bank Sunday, June 5, Cameron Maybin Poster, all kids, Meijer Monday, June 6, Pure Michigan Night Coaster Set, first 10,000 fans, Pure Michigan Friday, June 24, Floppy Hat, first 10,000 fans, National Coney Island Saturday, June 25, Commemorative Justin Upton Trading Card, all fans, Topps Sunday, June 26, Justin Verlander Poster, all kids, Meijer Saturday, July 16, J.D. Martinez Bobblehead, first 10,000 fans, Pepsi Sunday, July 17, Jose Iglesias Bobblehead, all kids, Belle Tire Sunday, July 31, Francisco Rodriguez Poster, all kids, Meijer Sunday, Aug. 7, Miguel Cabrera “Miggy Bank” Piggy Bank, all kids, Comerica Bank Tuesday, Aug. 16, Tigers All-Star Player Poster, first 10,000 fans 18 and older, Michigan Lottery Sunday, Aug. 21, Nick Castellanos Poster, all kids, Meijer Sunday, Aug. 28, Anibal Sanchez School Supplies Case, all kids, DMC Sunday, Sept. 11, Justin Upton Hat, all kids, Wednesday, Sept. 14, James McCann Green Knit Hat, first 5,000 fans Friday, Sept. 23, Carhartt Watch Hat, first 5,000 fans, Carhartt Sunday, Sept. 25, Victor Martinez Pencil Set, all kids, Kroger

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Detroit Tigers notes: Justin Verlander a minor victim in apparent major crime spree February 27, 2016 By Chris Iott/ MLive.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander is used to trying to prevent runners from stealing bases, but he was the apparent victim of a different type of theft recently. Verlander had a temporary paper tag disappear from a truck he drives. Police found it on a stolen car that had other stolen items inside before it was abandoned in a Lakeland neighborhood, according to a report in the Lakeland Ledger. Verlander posted a Tweet about the incident Friday morning. A Lakeland man who had been charged with six felonies faces 21 more charges, according to the Ledger, who cited a police report saying he has been linked to multiple car jackings and thefts. Rotation set: Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has now set his rotation through the first week of games. He announced three more starting Friday. Here is the rotation for the first week of games: • Monday: Kevin Ziomek vs. Florida Southern (exhibition game) • Tuesday: Matt Boyd vs. Pirates • Wednesday: Mike Pelfrey and Buck Farmer at Pirates and Yankees (sites for each pitcher TBD) • Thursday: Daniel Norris at Braves • Friday: Justin Verlander vs. Yankees • Saturday: Jordan Zimmermann at Nationals That matchup Saturday is interesting considering Zimmermann pitched for the Nationals for the the first seven seasons of his career before signing with the Tigers as a free agent. Early exit: First baseman Miguel Cabrera left the workouts a bit early Friday due to illness. Ausmus said Cabrera was dealing with a stomach issue and head congestion. Good health: Ausmus said Friday morning that the injury report was empty outside of Anibal Sanchez (right triceps inflammation).

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Detroit Tigers notes: Brad Ausmus expects Anibal Sanchez to be ready for regular season February 27, 2016 By Chris Iott/ MLive.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Anibal Sanchez is out of action. But the Detroit Tigers feel that he will be healthy in plenty of time for the regular season. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus was asked Friday morning how the right triceps inflammation that has sidelined Sanchez might affect which young pitchers are battling for rotation spots. "We're not even to that point," Ausmus said. "The feeling is Sanchie's going to be back and be back in plenty of time. That'd be more of a contingency until we think Sanchie wouldn't be available." The start of the regular season is more than five weeks away. Ausmus said Thursday that Sanchez will not pick up a ball until Monday. At that point, Sanchez will simply start playing catch while starting the process to get back on the mound. Ausmus was asked about the similarity to the issue involving Sanchez to the one that sidelined Justin Verlander last spring. Verlander was not expected to miss his next start when he left a game in late March with what was first described as triceps cramping. Ausmus said the injury Sanchez is dealing with is different. It's in the lower triceps, much closer to the elbow than the shoulder, where Verlander's issue was. RELATED: It's understandable if fans are nervous about Anibal Sanchez Time is on the Tigers' side, so Ausmus said the Tigers will not need to think about lining up an extra starter to pitch in the rotation in the regular season for some time. The Tigers open the season April 5 in Miami against the Marlins, but due to an early off-day they wouldn't need a fifth starter in the rotation until April 12 at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates. That's the seventh game of the season. "We're not concerned that that's an issue," Ausmus said of Sanchez being out for an extended period. "Of course, we weren't concerned with Verlander either, but this seems to be less concerning." TIGERS NOTES No change: The fact that Sanchez is out of action does not change the status of right-hander Michael Fulmer. Ausmus said Fulmer remains in contention for a bullpen spot, but he doesn't appear to be a contender in the battle to fill a rotation spot for the Tigers. Daniel Norris is the frontrunner for the fifth spot in the rotation. Other candidates are Shane Greene, Matt Boyd and Buck Farmer. Starters, not finishers: Expect Tigers regulars to start Monday in the exhibition game against Florida Southern College, but don't expect to see them stick around. "They'll play," Ausmus said. "They probably won't play very long. That's what we've done the last couple years, get an at-bat or so." Two from Michigan: The Florida Southern roster features two players from Michigan: OF/3B Dominic Brugnoni of St. Clair Shores and IF/OF J.P. DeBoyer of Algonac. The Tigers host Florida Southern at 1 p.m. Monday in their annual exhibition opener.

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Analysis: It's early, but it's understandable if fans are nervous about Anibal Sanchez February 27, 2016 By Chris Iott/ MLive.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Brad Ausmus said he is not overly concerned with the right triceps inflammation that has temporarily sidelined right-hander Anibal Sanchez. Detroit Tigers fans will probably hold their breath regardless of that. Sanchez had an MRI after throwing off the mound three days ago. He did not throw a live bullpen session with his throwing group Thursday and is not expected to pick up a ball until Monday. Ausmus said he wouldn't be shocked if Sanchez were to miss a start next week for the Tigers, who open Grapefruit League play Tuesday. "Is it concerning?" Ausmus said in response to a question about the injury. "It doesn't seem to be anything concerning. But I guess you're always cringing when it involves one of your starting pitchers especially." Therein lies the rub. When a starting pitcher goes down with any type of arm injury or issue, it's never crystal clear when he will be back. Tigers fans need to think back less than a calendar year for an example. Twenty minutes after Justin Verlander left the mound last March, an update on his condition was broadcast in the press box. It said he had right triceps cramping and that it was anticipated that he would make his next start on time. Tigers fans remember how that turned out. Verlander seemed to say every day that he was feeling a bit better and that he expected to turn the corner anytime, but he ended up on the disabled list for the first time in his career. His presence was missed at the top of the rotation in the early months of the season. Sanchez certainly would be missed in the middle of the rotation if he were to miss time with an injury. Of course, it is worth noting that it is Feb. 25 and not March 25. Sanchez has plenty of time to recover before opening day. "We have enough time to get ready for the season," Sanchez told reporters early Thursday afternoon. "When something happens, you need to take care of it." But Tigers fans will hold their breath as Sanchez goes through the process. And rightfully so. The Tigers' hopes of a fifth consecutive division title were dashed last season by several issues, but none was bigger than injuries. Sanchez has had trouble staying on the field the past two years. The Tigers need to be healthy if they are going to compete for a division title in 2016. It's understandable at this point on the calendar if Ausmus and the Tigers are not overly concerned. It's also understandable if Tigers fans cringed a bit when they heard the news. They're looking for a sequel of the regular season from 2014, not 2015.

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Under-the-radar Pelfrey could surprise in Detroit February 27, 2016 By Jason Beck/ MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- All eyes will be on Justin Verlander, Jordan Zimmermann, Daniel Norris and other big names when the Tigers finally get into Spring Training games next week. By contrast, Mike Pelfrey takes the mound for the first time as a Tiger next Wednesday with relatively little fanfare. The first time fans following from afar see the Tigers on television, they'll most likely see Pelfrey on the mound. While Detroit has split-squad games Wednesday, manager Brad Ausmus said it's "more than likely" Pelfrey will get the televised game against the Yankees that afternoon in Tampa, Fla. The first thing that will probably stand out for viewers is Pelfrey's height. For someone who isn't an overpowering pitcher, he's an intimidating presence at 6-foot-7. The Tigers hope there's a presence beyond the frame. Aside from eyebrows raised by a two-year contract back in early December, there was little attention on Pelfrey among general manager Al Avila's free-agent moves. But the Tigers are looking for upside out of the former first-round Draft pick, who struggled through three seasons in Minnesota. "I feel like there's more there," Ausmus said. "Being a couple years out from [elbow] surgery, we hope, is a good omen. We think with the stuff he has that there's a little more in there. "He's been a good big league pitcher, but we think he can really be a very good big league pitcher." Pelfrey understandably feels the same way. "I always say that when healthy, I feel like I can get people out," the big right-hander said, "and I feel good, so I expect some big things." He's aware of his numbers, from a 6-11 record and a 4.26 ERA last year in Minnesota to an 11-27 record and a 4.94 ERA for his entire Twins tenure. But he also knows how he felt as he worked through last season, working himself back into shape after a nerve issue in his elbow resulted in essentially a lost season in 2014 and a rebuild in '15. "I didn't know if I was necessarily going to be able to take the ball again for 30 times last year," Pelfrey said, "and I know [after] throwing the ball 20 innings in 2014, I kind of wore down there at the end, kind of struggled. I think it was more about command, but I feel like I can get back. I worked to get in shape, and I don't think it'll be as big of a deal to get back to 30 starts as it was last year." Pelfrey's damage rose considerably from the first three innings of a game (3.39 ERA, .763 OPS) to the next three (5.60 ERA, .804 OPS). Likewise, his OPS allowed picked up from .718 his first trip through a lineup to .804 the next trip, more so on singles and doubles than home runs. His home run rate of 0.6 per nine innings led all qualified hurlers. Indeed, he also struggled down the stretch, posting a 4.66 ERA after the All-Star break compared to 4.00 going into it. "Heading into last year, I was coming off that surgery, so there was a little bit of fully getting back," Pelfrey said. "But I feel good now."

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Renovations to Tigers' spring home on schedule February 27, 2016 By Jason Beck/ MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The pop of the mitt and the crack of the bat from here around this time each year echoes to Michigan, bringing warm thoughts of future afternoons to chilly baseball fans up north. From Tigertown, they're a little more difficult to hear, muffled from time to time by the high pitch of a saw and the hammering of new construction. Those, too, are harbingers of times ahead. When the Tigers return next spring, they'll be working in a spacious new building, training in a state-of-the-art facility and playing in a renovated and expanded Joker Marchant Stadium, all pieces of a $40 million project that provides the first major update to the Tigers' Spring Training home in 14 years. The upgrades -- financed by the state of Florida, city of Lakeland and Polk County -- continue the partnership between the Tigers and Lakeland, the longest-running pairing of a Major League team with a Spring Training home. As part of the agreement on the project, the Tigers extended their lease through 2036, which will mark the 100th spring for the team in Lakeland. Their $530,000 annual rent will also go toward financing the work. In an era when teams have been jumping to new facilities -- not just from Florida to Arizona, but one part of Florida to another -- the partnership continues a model of stability. While the Tigers could end up the only team in central Florida in the not-too-distant future, they'll have a home that team officials believe will rank among the best for a one-team facility. "Having a nice facility goes a long way," longest-tenured Tiger and part-time Lakeland resident Justin Verlander said. "They've done a good job of keeping renovations decent here for a while, but I think it got to a point, especially with a lot of teams heading to Arizona or getting a new facility. Especially with this being the longest-tenured Spring Training facility, I think it's important to keep us in town. I think it's big for the city of Lakeland, which is kind of synonymous with Tigers baseball." The Tigers are already utilizing the first of the upgrades, a new batting-cage building at the Tigertown Minor League complex, and an artificial-turf practice field that can be ready for play minutes after a mid-afternoon Florida downpour. The next phase will be impossible to miss once Spring Training games begin next week. Looming over the right-field fence is the skeleton of a three-story, 78,000 square-foot building that will house Tigers offices, a 17,000 square-foot clubhouse to accommodate up to 60 players, a new weight room estimated at 7,000 square feet, and a right-field porch for fans to congregate. Construction on that will pause for the Grapefruit League schedule. Shortly after the Tigers head north, the work will pick up -- not just on that building, but on the stadium itself. The grandstand down the left-field line, remnants of a previous era, will be knocked down and replaced by seating that will resemble the sections behind home plate, including cover to allow fans to enjoy the game in the shade. The current Tigers clubhouse and administration building down the right-field line will be torn down and replaced by additional seating, a party deck and a picnic area. Additional plans call for wider concourses, more restrooms and more space for concession areas. Club suites will be extended up top, with a stadium club above the first-base seats. The concourse will be extended around the ballpark, including the outfield. Official capacity is expected to be relatively unchanged, according to Tigers director of Florida operations Ron Myers. The difference will be more in the quality of seating. At the same time, the Tigers and Lakeland have to strike a balance between a modern facility and the classic Spring Training feel that fans have enjoyed since the area was converted from an old air training base. To that end, the style of architecture will remain unchanged, and the left-field berm will stay in place. The project is on schedule to be completed next February, just in time for Spring Training, according to Lakeland Parks and Recreation director Bob Donahay.

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Kinsler, Tigers weigh in on rule changes February 27, 2016 By Jason Beck/ MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Ian Kinsler said Major League Baseball's recent rule changes on potential double-play turns at second base will have a bigger impact on shortstops than second basemen, since making fielders touch the bag affects shortstops who have traditionally run across the bag on double plays rather than staying on it. On slides, though, Kinsler doesn't see a massive change so much as a clarification to make it less subjective for umpires. "They organized the rule a little bit, made it a little more descriptive for the umpires and for the players to kind of understand what is obstruction and what isn't. So I think that's a good thing," Kinsler said. "Before it was basically umpires' discretion, and every umpire sees things differently, so the rule wasn't really solid depending on the angle that he has, the speed of the play, the time of the game, the angle of the sun, whatever." By new rule, a baserunner must now be able to reach the base with his hand or foot while sliding and must attempt to remain on the base after completing the slide, or else be called for interference. The runner also cannot alter his path to create contact with an infielder. The rolling slide into a middle infielder is also out. "For me, the only problems were guys sliding away from arm's reach, that lead foot being up in the air, and late slides," Kinsler said. "Those are three things that I think could've been discussed and changed or defined a little better. And that was really it for me. As long as you start your slide before the base and you're within reach of the base, for me that's fair." Manager Brad Ausmus said he and his coaches will go over the rule changes over the next couple of days. He doesn't anticipate a big adjustment with the neighborhood play now subject to review. "It makes it more cut-and-dried," Ausmus said. "The old rule was the neighborhood play couldn't be reviewed unless the throw took the middle infielder off the bag. It was much more subjective. Now it's [a question of] he was on the base or he wasn't. That actually makes it easier." The Tigers will likely practice sliding on Sunday. Kinsler doesn't believe baseball should eliminate the hard slide, just make the egregious ones more clear. "I just think the rule needed to be cleaned up a little bit, and I think that's what they did," he said. "I'm definitely opposed to taking the aggression away from the game. If we continue to take exciting plays away from the game, it's going to be a staring contest out there." Quick hits • Besides Matt Boyd on Tuesday and Buck Farmer and Mike Pelfrey for the Wednesday split-squads, Ausmus announced his rotation for the next few Spring Training games. Daniel Norris will start against the Braves on Thursday at Disney World, followed by Justin Verlander on Friday against the Yankees at Joker Marchant Stadium. Jordan Zimmermann will make his Tigers debut against his old team, the Washington Nationals, on Saturday at Viera. • Anibal Sanchez was in line to start Wednesday before a triceps strain sidelined him from throwing this week. With Sanchez out for now, Ausmus isn't adjusting his starting plans. "The feeling is that Sanchie's going to be back in plenty of time," Ausmus said.

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Detroit’s Norris taking things slower after turbulent 2015 February 27, 2016 By Noah Trister/ Associated Press

LAKELAND, Fla. >> Before being sent to the minors last year — and before he was diagnosed with a cancerous growth on his thyroid — Daniel Norris pushed himself pretty hard in an effort to make the major league roster in Toronto. The Blue Jays indeed took him north for the start of the season, but he lasted less than a month before being sent down. Now with the Detroit Tigers, the 22-year-old left-hander doesn’t want that to happen again. “He felt like he went too hard too fast last year,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “We discussed it and we agreed that we would back off a little bit.” Norris can certainly expect a less turbulent year this time around. His demotion to the minors in 2015 was followed by the discovery of a malignant growth on his thyroid. He decided to keep pitching after being told he could have the growth removed after the season. Then at the trade deadline, Norris went to the Tigers in the deal that sent David Price to Toronto. An eventful season, to say the least. “It was crazy,” Norris said. “But obviously got through it. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.” If anyone deserves a chance to prepare for this season at his own pace, it’s Norris, and Ausmus described the plan this year as a “slow buildup” in terms of how much he’ll throw. It may end up being a fairly minor change. Norris remains one of Detroit’s top prospects and a strong candidate to make the starting rotation out of camp. “Instead of getting on the mound every single day or throwing every single day, you eliminate a day or throw less pitches,” Ausmus said. Norris made five starts last April for the Blue Jays, going 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA. After lasting only three innings in an April 30 outing, he was sent to Triple-A Buffalo. While in the minors, he had an MRI for his shoulder, and that’s when the thyroid growth was found. A doctor told him he could keep pitching, so he did, and after being traded to the Tigers, he made eight more starts in the majors. “Baseball kept me sane,” Norris said. Norris had already received plenty of attention in spring training last year for his unusual lifestyle — he was living out of his 1978 Volkswagen van. Now he’s known as the pitcher who kept playing after a cancer diagnosis, although he kept that a secret from the public until after the season was over. He had surgery on the growth in October and declared himself cancer free, and he says his offseason routine was largely unaffected by the operation. Norris pushed his throwing program back a few weeks, which he hopes will pay off as he tries to prepare for the season at the right pace. “I started a little bit later, and I think it’s helped me a lot,” Norris said. “But as far as going out there and competing, I’m still a hundred percent.” The Tigers were happy to get Norris in the deal for Price, but Detroit is not in any sort of rebuilding mode. With a huge payroll and several stars in their 30s, the Tigers are anxious to return to contention after finishing last in the AL Central in 2015. So although Norris may take things a bit slower during spring training, once the season starts, he could have an opportunity to make a significant impact. After all the ups and downs of 2015, his future still looks bright. “If he ran into a brick wall, I don’t know if his first thought would be to go around it,” Ausmus said. “He’d try to run into it harder.”

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Tigers' rotation set through Saturday; Miguel Cabrera dealing with illness February 27, 2016 By Katie Strang/ ESPN.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Detroit Tigers' pitching rotation is set through next Saturday, with three more players penciled in for next week's schedule of Grapefruit League games. Daniel Norris, who is among the candidates to compete for the fifth starter spot, will pitch Thursday against the Braves. Ace Justin Verlander will take the mound on Friday against the Yankees and Jordan Zimmermann will face his former club, the Washington Nationals, on Saturday. Manager Brad Ausmus said that's as far as the team has gone to this point in scheduling the starts, and it remains unclear the next time Anibal Sanchez will pitch, considering his recent setback. Sanchez was revealed to be suffering from lower triceps inflammation on Thursday and will not pick up a ball until Monday. Kevin Ziomek will start the club's exhibition game against the Florida Southern College Mocs on Monday, with Matt Boyd to start the Grapefruit League opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates the following day. Buck Farmer and Mike Pelfrey will handle Wednesday's split-squad games, though Ausmus has not decided who will travel to Tampa to face the Yankees and who will be in Bradenton to face the Pirates. Bug going around: Miguel Cabrera is dealing with what sounds like a minor illness, though he was at Joker Marchant Stadium on Friday for workouts. Ausmus said Cabrera was dealing with some stomach issues and was experiencing some congestion, but did not sound too concerned. "We've had this every spring. I don't know if it's pollen or some type of allergy, some bug, I'm not sure," Ausmus said. "It generally hits our clubhouse in some form." Castellanos looking leaner: Ausmus said third baseman Nick Castellanos looked to be in good condition when he arrived in camp, a sign that the team took as encouraging. "He's not as top-heavy as last year. He looks strong, but he looks leaner than he did a year ago in spring training," Ausmus said. Asked if that could translate to better mobility for the young infielder, Ausmus said: "In theory, yeah. He looked good today taking ground balls. He's working on stuff with [first-base coach Omar Vizquel], diving, for one. He's been working on diving for balls. So far, so good." This will be Castellanos' third full season in the majors and the Tigers are optimistic there will be growth on his part, particularly on the defensive front. "I don't know if I can say the third full season is the season where they turn it around," Ausmus said, "But I think players evolve at different rates. ... You could probably find players who took longer, who had it immediately. I don't think we're sure where Nick falls yet. He's still relatively young. Experience-wise, he's got two-plus seasons."

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Matt Boyd's slider making an impression in spring training February 27, 2016 By Katie Strang/ ESPN.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Asked if anything has stood out in spring training, with regards to his pitching staff, Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus singled out one thing in particular: Matt Boyd's slider. “That’s one pitch that kind of jumps out,” Ausmus said Friday during his morning press briefing. Ausmus referenced it last week too, describing it as a sort of hybrid between a slider and a cutter. It’s still a slider, Boyd insists, just tighter, and without the large, sweeping motion from last season. Regardless of how it’s characterized, the pitch has made an immediate impression. “It’s shorter, and firm, and harder,” Ausmus said, predicting that it could become a very effective weapon for the young lefty this season. Boyd, who spent the last two months of last season with the Tigers after joining the organization from the Toronto Blue Jays in the David Price deal at the deadline, said he went into the offseason knowing he wanted to refine the pitch. He threw it in August and September, but it was met with mixed results. He changed the grip and focused on repeating it over and over in the offseason back home in Washington -- he worked a lot with catcher Reese McGuire, a Pittsburgh Pirates prospect -- until he found he could throw it both consistently and with confidence. He said he is now as comfortable with it as he is with his other four pitches. The former Oregon State standout feels he is able to attack hitters with the entirety of his repertoire, changing eye levels and directions. His changeup and his curveball go straight down, his four-seam fastball tends to rise, his two-seamer veers left and his slider goes right. “You throw it in there and it’s nice because it adds another dimension, right?” Boyd said. Boyd said he is eager to use it in his first start next week, when he will take the mound for the Tigers' Grapefruit League opener against Pittsburgh on Tuesday. “Yeah, I can’t wait,” Boyd said. “That's what you work for the whole offseason so I’m excited to toe it up against someone in a different uniform.” Boyd enters camp with a chance to compete for the fifth starter spot, along with Daniel Norris, Shane Greene and Buck Farmer. He sounded confident in the state of the rotation, regardless of who nails down the gig. “I think that, however you shake it out, the seven or eight guys that we have, we're going to have one of the best rotations in baseball, so I think it's going to be awesome,” Boyd said. “Competition breeds success and we’re all friends and we're all working towards that ultimate goal of bringing a title to Detroit. So I think it’s great.” Boyd, who was 1-4 with a 6.57 ERA in 11 games for Detroit, said he benefited greatly from the experience he gained in the majors last year, and that was a driving force behind his self-evaluation heading into this offseason. He feels he has only improved as a result. “I’m a firm believer in, ‘I’ve seen something once now and I know what to expect.’ I had some good outings; I had some really bad ones, so for me it was really looking at it for what it is and saying ‘Hey, this is what I really need to work on. I was deficient in these areas. In those areas, if I don’t evolve, I’m going to be done. That’s the nature of the beast, right?” Boyd said. “You’ve got to just keep evolving and I think those last two months were extremely beneficial moving forward.”

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Detroit Tigers announce 2016 promotional schedule February 27, 2016 By WXYZ.com Staff/ WXYZ.com

DETROIT (WXYZ) - We're just over a month away from Opening Day, and the Detroit Tigers on Friday announced the 2016 promotional giveaway schedule. The highlighted giveaways include four bobbleheads, silver slugger bat, "Miggy bank" piggy bank and a growth chart. Individual tickets go on sale Saturday, March 5 at 10 a.m. Check out the promotional schedule below. Saturday, April 9 - 2016 Magnet schedule - 10,000 fans Sunday, April 10 - Miguel Cabrera/J.D. Martinez Silver Slugger bat - All Kids Friday, April 22 - Shell Eco-marathon 2016 Saltwater Car - 10,000 fans (Exit) Saturday, April 23 - Detroit Tigers Retro-Style Bobblehead - 10,000 fans Sunday, April 24 - Tigers Baseball Card Team Set - All Kids Tuesday, April 26 - Detroit Tigers Wal Calendar - 10,000 fans Friday, May 6 - Tigers BP Jersey Tote Bag - 10,000 fans Sunday, May 8 - Pink out the Park visor - 10,000 Moms Sunday, May 8 - "Might Miggy" Children's book - All Kids Tuesday, May 17 - Ian Kinsler bobblehead - 10,000 fans Sunday, May 22 - Jordan Zimmermann growth chart - All Kids Tuesday, May 24 - Patriotic Hat - 10,000 fans ages 21 and over Saturday, June 4 - Negro League Tribute Game Hat - 10,000 fans Sunday, June 5 - Cameron Maybin poster - All Kids Monday, June 6 - Pure Michigan Night coaster set - 10,000 fans Friday, June 24 - Floppy hat - 10,000 fans Saturday, June 25 - Justin Upton Trading Card - All fans Sunday, June 26 - Justin Verlander poster - All Kids Saturday, July 16 - J.D. Martinez bobblehead - 10,000 fans Sunday, July 17 - Jose Iglesias bobblehead - All Kids Sunday, July 31 - Francisco Rodriguez poster - All Kids Sunday, Aug. 7 - Miguel Cabrera "Miggy Bank" Piggy bank - All Kids Tuesday, Aug. 16 - All-Star player poster - 10,000 fans age 18 and over Sunday, Aug. 21 - Nick Castellanos poster - All Kids Sunday, Aug. 28 - Anibal Sanchez School Supplies Case - All Kids Sunday, Sept. 11 - Justin Upton hat - All Kids Wednesday, Sept. 14 - James McCann Green Knit hat - 5,000 fans Friday, Sept. 23 - Carhartt Watch Hat - 5,000 fans Sunday, Sept. 25 - Victor Martinez Pencil Set - All Kids

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Tigers Announce 2016 Promotional Giveaways Schedule February 27, 2016 By CBSDetroit.com Staff/ CBSDetroit.com

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers announced today the lineup of free promotional giveaways for the 2016 season at Comerica Park. The Tigers have planned 30 giveaways for the season, in addition to 17 post-game fireworks extravaganzas, courtesy of Pepsi, following Friday and Saturday night baseball in Detroit. Visit tigers.com for the complete 2016 home schedule and promotional giveaway lineup. Individual game tickets for the 2016 Detroit Tigers season go on sale Saturday, March 5 beginning at 10:00 a.m. fans will have the opportunity to purchase single game tickets at the Comerica Park Box Office on Witherell Street, online at tigers.com, and by calling 866-66-TIGER (84437). HIGHLIGHTED SEASON GIVEAWAYS Sunday, April 10 – Miguel Cabrera / J.D. Martinez Silver Slugger bat (All Kids, sponsored by Little Caesars) Saturday, April 23 – Detroit Tigers Retro-Style Bobblehead (1st 10,000 fans, sponsored by FOX Sports Detroit) Sunday, May 8 – “Mighty Miggy” Children’s Book (All Kids, sponsored by Michigan State Police & Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force) Tuesday, May 17 – Ian Kinsler Bobblehead (1st 10,000 fans, sponsored by Dunkin Donuts) Sunday, May 22 – Jordan Zimmermann Growth Chart (All Kids) Saturday, July 16 – J.D. Martinez Bobblehead (1st 10,000 fans, sponsored by Pepsi) Sunday, July 17 – Jose Iglesias Bobblehead (All Kids, sponsored by Belle Tire) Sunday, August 7 – Miguel Cabrera “Miggy Bank” Piggy Bank (All Kids, sponsored by Comerica Bank) EVERY KID, EVERY SUNDAY As part of “Chevy Youth Baseball Sunday Kids Days,” the Every Kid Every Sunday Giveaway Guarantee returns, with all kids 14-and-younger receiving a promotional item. Children can also enjoy free rides on the Comerica Bank Carousel or the Fly Ball Ferris Wheel, courtesy of Kroger, free face painting at Gates A and B, and post-game Kids Run the Bases, courtesy of Aquafina. SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW A variety of season ticket options for the upcoming 2016 season are currently on sale. Ticket packages are available for as low as $14 per game and include great benefits. For more information or to purchase season tickets, call (313) 471-2255, email [email protected] or visit tigers.com. Date Promotional Giveaway Quantity Sponsor Saturday, April 9 2016 Magnet Schedule 10,000 Fans Comerica Bank Sunday, April 10 Miguel Cabrera / J.D. Martinez Silver Slugger bat All Kids Little Caesars Friday, April 22 Shell Eco-marathon 2016 Saltwater Car 10,000 Fans (Exit) Shell Saturday, April 23 Detroit Tigers Retro-Style Bobblehead 10,000 Fans FOX Sports Detroit Sunday, April 24 2016 Tigers Baseball Card Team Set All Kids BCBSN Tuesday, April 26 2016-2017 Detroit Tigers Wall Calendar 10,000 Fans Red Robin Friday, May 6 Tigers BP Jersey Tote Bag 10,000 Fans MLB Network Sunday, May 8 Pink Out The Park Visor 10,000 Moms Delta Air Lines Sunday, May 8 “Mighty Miggy” Children’s Book All Kids Michigan State Police & Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Tuesday, May 17 Ian Kinsler Bobblehead 10,000 Fans Dunkin Donuts Sunday, May 22 Jordan Zimmermann Growth Chart All Kids Tuesday, May 24 Patriotic Hat 10,000 Fans 21+ Miller Lite Saturday, June 4 Negro Leagues Tribute Game Commemorative Hat 10,000 Fans Comerica Bank Sunday, June 5 Cameron Maybin Poster All Kids Meijer Monday, June 6 Pure Michigan Night Coaster Set 10,000 Fans Pure Michigan Friday, June 24 Floppy Hat 10,000 Fans National Coney Island Saturday, June 25 Commemorative Justin Upton Trading Card All Fans Topps Sunday, June 26 Justin Verlander Poster All Kids Meijer 20

Saturday, July 16 J.D. Martinez Bobblehead 10,000 Fans Pepsi Sunday, July 17 Jose Iglesias Bobblehead All Kids Belle Tire Sunday, July 31 Francisco Rodriguez Poster All Kids Meijer Sunday, August 7 Miguel Cabrera “Miggy Bank” Piggy Bank All Kids Comerica Bank Tuesday, August 16 Tigers All-Star Player Poster 10,000 Fans 18+ Michigan Lottery Sunday, August 21 Nick Castellanos Poster All Kids Meijer Sunday, August 28 Anibal Sanchez School Supplies Case All Kids DMC Sunday, Sept. 11 Justin Upton Hat All Kids Wednesday, Sept. 14 James McCann Green Knit Hat 5,000 Fans Friday, Sept. 23 Carhartt Watch Hat 5,000 Fans Carhartt Sunday, Sept. 25 Victor Martinez Pencil Set All Kids Kroger *Promotions schedule is subject to change. Purchase of a ticket does not necessarily guarantee promotional item.

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LAST UPDATED: SAT, FEBRUARY 27, 2016, 03:02 EST

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Chicago Cubs Shane Victorino Signed to a Minor League Contract

Cleveland Indians Will Venable Signed to a Minor League Contract

Houston Astros Neal Cotts Signed to a Minor League Contract

Texas Rangers Drew Stubbs Signed to a Minor League Contract

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Baltimore Orioles Yovani Gallardo Signed as Free Agent, ( 2016-2017; Opt 2018)(two-year contract)

Baltimore Orioles Efren Navarro Designated for Assignment

Chicago Cubs Aaron Brooks Traded From from Athletics, Oakland (for OF Chris Coghlan)

Chicago Cubs Dexter Fowler Signed as Free Agent, ( 2016; Opt 2017)(one-year contract)

Chicago Cubs Zac Rosscup Placed on 60-Day DL, (Left shoulder inflammation)

Oakland Athletics Chris Coghlan Traded From from Cubs, Chi. Cubs (for RHP Aaron Brooks)

Toronto Blue Jays Domonic Brown Signed to a Minor League Contract

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

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TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Los Angeles Dodgers Jamey Wright Signed to a Minor League Contract

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