The Tigers are the latest known major league team affected by the coronavirus. Speaking to Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free-Press and other reporters Wednesday, general manager Al Avila revealed that two people in the organization – one player and one staff member – have tested positive for the illness. Neither individual has recovered yet, but the player was not working out at the team’s spring facility in Lakeland, Fla., when he contracted it. Meanwhile, as a prostate cancer survivor, manager Ron Gardenhire is at higher risk than most of coming down with COVID-19. Gardenhire admitted he’s “uneasy” about a season during a pandemic, but he’s confident MLB will do its best to keep everyone safe, per Fenech.
More out of Detroit…
- The Tigers have signed supplemental second-round pick Daniel Cabrera for $1.2MM, above his slot value of $1,102,700, Jim Callis of MLB.com tweets. The former Louisiana State outfielder was the 62nd overall choice. His deal leaves slugger Spencer Torkelson, the first overall selection, as the only Detroit pick who hasn’t signed yet. The Tigers can pay Torkelson $7,775,700 without exceeding their $13,325,700 bonus pool and $8,441,985 without losing future picks, Callis notes. The slot value of the No. 1 pick is $8,415,300.
- Right-hander Michael Fulmer has made enough progress in his recovery from March 2019 Tommy John surgery that he should be ready to return to the mound when spring training resumes, according to Avila (via Evan Woodbery of MLive.com). However, the Tigers aren’t going to rush the 27-year-old Fulmer back into game action. “Once we get there and we see him and see him and he starts working out we’ll just figure out what we can do and how we can do it,” Gardenhire said. “Game situations are so much different than practice.” The former American League Rookie of the Year (2016) was once among the most prized young hurlers in the game, but along with injuries, a decline in performance has damaged his stock over the past couple years. In 2018, the last time he pitched, Fulmer logged a career-worst 4.69 ERA/4.52 FIP over 132 1/3 innings.
- Gardenhire confirmed that standout Tigers pitching prospects Casey Mize, Matt Manning, Tarik Skubal and Alex Faedo will be on their 60-man taxi squad, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News relays. “They are going to be part of this,” said Gardenhire, but that doesn’t mean any will make his major league debut this year, as Avila acknowledged that ” it might be more difficult to get them that experience” during such a short season. Regardless, being on the 60-man roster will at least give those who may not yet be ready for the majors to play intrasquad games and continue to develop in a year that probably won’t have a minor league season.
Torkelson isnt going underslot with Boras as his agent. this should be good.
Tork signed for slot value. Press conf Monday.
There is no penalty for going full slot other than the fee hundred thousand that any owner can afford.
The reports are that Tork will sign over slot but under the number that would cost the Tigers draft picks.
I am glad too hear that fulmer will be back & they plan on taking their time with him. I would love to see all of those young arms join the team this summer. I would love to see all the starting pitchers in the Pen and let them pitch 4 innings then replace with another starter and pitch him 4 innings & let Jimenez close as many as possible. Its a short season so just let them all go out & give it their best for 4 innings twice a week keeping them all fairly stretched out & get them all some greatly needed experience.
It is just my dream, but I believe it would work well for the team.
At the end of the day. Remember the winner of the 2020 WS ( IF THERE IS ONE) Will be handed a “Piece of Metal”from the Commmish
2020 padres world champs
i wouldn’t be mad at that.
The owners have a built in motivation to keep the players healthy and are willing to take every precaution they can.
The players don’t seem to have a similar motivation.
How do you know what the players are thinking. Joe Maddon said All if the Angel players want to play.
Halo-on-Halo action. Most people pay double for that, Cotton.
Should’ve traded Fulmer when they could’ve.
nonsense, you don’t give players away for garbage, you’d make an awful GM.
pretty sure he is referring to the rumored Fulmer for Bregman deal Tigers turned down
Will the “taxi squad” count as service time?
No.
himdsight is 20/20 on Fulmer. it was silly to want to trade him when he had value to be traded because he was a clear building block.
Fulmer might still be a Building Block, time will tell. He has the stuff as he demonstrated his Rookie Season. Dave Dombrowski knew his job well. Made a few mistakes but most of them turned out good. I wish he was still in Detroit.
Padres gotta’ get by the Tigers first.
The Padres have a much better team than the Tigers. This season is going to be strange because the younger pitchers who typically fade in the long season won’t get to that point in 60 games. Chris Paddack was amazing and i hope they stomp on the Dodger’s attempt to buy a championship.