Tigers veterans returning to camp
03/19/2006
The dream of breaking camp in the Major Leagues ended for many Tigers prospects on Friday. With many regulars returning this past week from the World Baseball Classic, manager Jim Leyland sent more than a dozen players out of camp, including many guys he hopes to see back in a Detroit uniform someday.
"We sent down six or seven -- I don't know what the number is -- legitimate prospects," Leyland told reporters Friday.
The Tigers' heavy presence in the World Baseball Classic meant many of those prospects had more than their expected share of playing time. Brent Clevlen played all over the outfield for Leyland while Magglio Ordonez was away and Craig Monroe and Dmitri Young were injured. Kody Kirkland was Brandon Inge's main relief at third base. Humberto Sanchez made two mid-inning relief appearances to get the Tigers out of jams. Jordan Tata and Preston Larrison both logged significant innings, including Tata's start on Thursday against the Nationals in Viera. Eulogio De La Cruz struck out five batters in six scoreless innings over four relief appearances this spring.
The cuts mean five players without Major League experience remain in camp: right-hander Joel Zumaya, catchers Brian Peterson and Max St. Pierre, infielder Don Kelly and reliever Kevin Hodge.
On the move: Clevlen, Sanchez, Kirkland, Tata, Larrison, De La Cruz and Tony Giarratano were all optioned to Double-A Erie on Friday. Tim Crabtree, Colby Lewis, Mike Rabelo, Danilo Sanchez and Kevin Hooper were assigned to Minor League camp. The moves leave 44 players still in big-league camp.
On the mend: Kyle Sleeth continues to work his way back throwing bullpen sessions in Minor League camp. He will not be ready for the start of the season, but could be pitching in games soon thereafter, likely starting at Class A Lakeland until the weather turns up north.
Names in the game: Class A Lakeland coach Larry Herndon returned to the Tigers organization last year after serving as Detroit's hitting coach from 1992-98. He played seven of his 14 Major League seasons in a Tigers uniform, including 125 games on the 1984 world championship club.
No. 1 picks: Cameron Maybin went 0-for-4 in three games with the big club as an extra player for late-inning work. He's now playing in Minor League games and figures to start his first pro season in 'A' ball.
Relevant stats: Clevlen went 10-for-31 with three homers and four RBIs in his springtime with the Tigers. His seven walks tied for second on the club. ... Outfielders Vince Blue and Jeff Frazier are both 1-for-3 with a single apiece in spot appearances with the big-league club this spring.
What they're saying: "My brother ought to be his agent, because my brother goes to every Mud Hen game, and he tells me this guy can hit." -- Leyland, on outfielder Marcus Thames, who hit .340 with 22 home runs and 56 RBIs last year in his second season at Toledo
Source: http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/
The dream of breaking camp in the Major Leagues ended for many Tigers prospects on Friday. With many regulars returning this past week from the World Baseball Classic, manager Jim Leyland sent more than a dozen players out of camp, including many guys he hopes to see back in a Detroit uniform someday.
"We sent down six or seven -- I don't know what the number is -- legitimate prospects," Leyland told reporters Friday.
The Tigers' heavy presence in the World Baseball Classic meant many of those prospects had more than their expected share of playing time. Brent Clevlen played all over the outfield for Leyland while Magglio Ordonez was away and Craig Monroe and Dmitri Young were injured. Kody Kirkland was Brandon Inge's main relief at third base. Humberto Sanchez made two mid-inning relief appearances to get the Tigers out of jams. Jordan Tata and Preston Larrison both logged significant innings, including Tata's start on Thursday against the Nationals in Viera. Eulogio De La Cruz struck out five batters in six scoreless innings over four relief appearances this spring.
The cuts mean five players without Major League experience remain in camp: right-hander Joel Zumaya, catchers Brian Peterson and Max St. Pierre, infielder Don Kelly and reliever Kevin Hodge.
On the move: Clevlen, Sanchez, Kirkland, Tata, Larrison, De La Cruz and Tony Giarratano were all optioned to Double-A Erie on Friday. Tim Crabtree, Colby Lewis, Mike Rabelo, Danilo Sanchez and Kevin Hooper were assigned to Minor League camp. The moves leave 44 players still in big-league camp.
On the mend: Kyle Sleeth continues to work his way back throwing bullpen sessions in Minor League camp. He will not be ready for the start of the season, but could be pitching in games soon thereafter, likely starting at Class A Lakeland until the weather turns up north.
Names in the game: Class A Lakeland coach Larry Herndon returned to the Tigers organization last year after serving as Detroit's hitting coach from 1992-98. He played seven of his 14 Major League seasons in a Tigers uniform, including 125 games on the 1984 world championship club.
No. 1 picks: Cameron Maybin went 0-for-4 in three games with the big club as an extra player for late-inning work. He's now playing in Minor League games and figures to start his first pro season in 'A' ball.
Relevant stats: Clevlen went 10-for-31 with three homers and four RBIs in his springtime with the Tigers. His seven walks tied for second on the club. ... Outfielders Vince Blue and Jeff Frazier are both 1-for-3 with a single apiece in spot appearances with the big-league club this spring.
What they're saying: "My brother ought to be his agent, because my brother goes to every Mud Hen game, and he tells me this guy can hit." -- Leyland, on outfielder Marcus Thames, who hit .340 with 22 home runs and 56 RBIs last year in his second season at Toledo
Source: http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/
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