MARCH 28, 2021•FREEP.COM
Detroit Tigers vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Best photos from exhibitionThe Detroit Tigers played the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, March 28, 2021.
AJ Hinch: Tigers not likely to have Spencer Turnbull for 'first few series'The million-dollar question that still looms over the 2021 roster: Who gets sent down when the right-hander comes back.
MARCH 28, 2021•DETROITNEWS.COM
Seen as rotation depthMedina is viewed as one of the Phillies' top options for rotation depth, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
ImpactMedina was one of the Phillies' top pitching prospects in the not too distant past, but his stock took a significant hit after a poor season at the Double-A level in 2019 in which he struggled to a 4.94 ERA while striking out just 17.5 percent of opposing batters. He made his major-league debut with a single spot start last season but will begin this year with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Vince Velasquez will begin the year in the big-league bullpen and will be the primary option for a spot start, but Medina could be right behind him, as Spencer Howard (back) is expected to work in a multi-inning relief role early in the year once he gets healthy.
MARCH 28, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Could fill hybrid roleHoward (back) is still viewed as a starter long-term, but the Phillies intend to use him in a hybrid role this season when he returns to the big leagues, Matt Gelb of The Athletic...
ImpactBack troubles prevented Howard from pushing for an Opening Day rotation role, though they aren't considered a long-term issue. Howard will open the year in the minors due to his lost buildup time this spring, but he could be back in the big leagues before too long. Rather than keep him stretched out at Triple-A, however, the Phillies intend for him to rejoin the big-league squad and pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen or potentially make short starts of no more than two or three innings. It's possible Howard will be a true starter by the end of the year, but the Phillies don't want to use up too many of his innings too early in the season.
MARCH 28, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Lone lefty in Opening Day bullpenAlvarado will be the only left-hander in the Phillies' Opening Day bullpen after JoJo Romero was optioned Sunday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
ImpactAlvarado pitched himself into the closer mix alongside Hector Neris and Archie Bradley this spring, showing significantly improved conditioning and triple-digit heat. As the lone lefty in that trio, Alvarado would figure to earn save chances when opposing left-handers are due up in the ninth inning should the Phillies adopt a committee approach, but manager Joe Girardi has expressed a preference for a traditional closer. It may be tough for Girardi to give Alvarado the role, as that would leave him without any southpaws to deploy prior to the ninth inning.
MARCH 28, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Tigers take swing at new season with Detroit kidsTo celebrate the start of the Tigers' baseball season on Thursday, the team hosted a giveaway rally in partnership with Triumph Church
MARCH 28, 2021•DETROITNEWS.COM
In line for Opening Day relief rolePresident of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Saturday that Velasquez (oblique) is on track to begin the season as a member of the Phillies' bullpen, Todd Zolecki of MLB.co...
ImpactVelasquez hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game since March 9 due to an oblique injury, which effectively took him out of the running for a spot in the rotation. The injury apparently won't disqualify Velasquez from making the Opening Day roster as a reliever, provided he's able to face hitters without issue before camp ends. The Phillies could revisit the idea of using Velasquez as as starter once the oblique injury is further in the rear-view mirror and if he has some time to get fully stretched out.
MARCH 28, 2021•ROTOWIRE
