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Team Notebook: Detroit Tigers News, Rumors and Injury Updates
 Tigers | Guillen could DH The Detroit News' Tom Gage reports Detroit Tigers OF Carlos Guillen is slated to be the everyday left fielder. However, if the team signs OF Johnny Damon, Guillen would likely serve as the designated hitter against right-handers. Tigers | Galarraga to work with Cabrera SportingNews.com reports Detroit Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera will work with former 1B Andres Galarraga in Spring Training this year, serving as Cabrera's mentor. "Detroit wants me to be with Miguel during Spring Training and that's where we are," Galarraga said. "If it's for Spring Training, I think I will accept, but if it's for the season, I don't want to be away from my home for eight months." Tigers | Team might still add a hitter Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said that the club may attempt to add more offensive firepower before the beginning of the season, according to George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press. "Most of our positional spots are set, in the sense that if you had to open the season, I'd feel comfortable in that regard," he said. "But if there was an area we're going to address, it would be an offensive perspective. I don't know if anything will happen or not." Dombrowski added that the team is not currently looking to add pitching. Tigers | Horton, Kaline to serve as guest instructors The Detroit Free Press' James Jahnke reports that former Detroit Tigers OFs Willie Horton and Al Kaline will serve as guest instructors at the club's spring training site in Lakeland, Fla. Tigers | Verlander details Updating previous reports, Tigers.MLB.com's Jason Beck reports Detroit Tigers SP Justin Verlander will receive a $500,000 signing bonus, $6.75 million in 2010, $12.75 million in 2011 and $20 million per year in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Tigers | More Damon talk The Detroit News' Lynn Henning reports the Detroit Tigers are pushing for a one-year deal for free-agent OF Johnny Damon (Yankees), but he is seeking a two-year commitment. A one-year deal would likely cost $7 million or more. Tigers | Bonderman rehabbing in Florida According to Detroit Free Press reporter George Sipple, Detroit Tigers SP Jeremy Bonderman (shoulder) has been throwing in Florida and is feeling good. He is rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Tigers | Verlander deal finalized The Associated Press reports the Detroit Tigers finalized their five-year, $80 million extension with SP Justin Verlander Thursday, Feb. 4. He will receive a $500,000 signing bonus, $6.75 million this year, $12.75 million in 2011 and $20 million in each of the following three seasons. Tigers | Agree to five-year deal with Verlander The Associated Press reports the Detroit Tigers have agreed to an $80 million, five-year deal with SP Justin Verlander, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The source said the contract could be completed as soon as Thursday, Feb. 4. Tigers | Not close to bringing Damon in Tom Gage, of The Detroit News, reports the Detroit Tigers are not close to signing free-agent OF Johnny Damon (Yankees), according to general manager Dave Dombrowski. "We're not close to making any kind of deals at this point," Dombrowski said. Tigers | Optimistic about extension for Verlander Jon Paul Morosi, of FOXSports.com, reports the Detroit Tigers are optimistic that they will sign SP Justin Verlander to a long-term extension, according to one major league source. It's possible that both sides will agree on a five-year deal worth more than Seattle Mariners SP Felix Hernandez's $78 million deal. Tigers | Damon interested in team Lynn Henning, of The Detroit News, reports free-agent OF Johnny Damon (Yankees) is intrigued by the idea of signing with the Detroit Tigers, according to his agent, Scott Boras. "Johnny believes the addition of him to Detroit's lineup would make the Tigers a winner," Boras said. Tigers | Begin negotiations with Verlander Jason Beck, of MLB.com, reports the Detroit Tigers have begun negotiations on a long-term contract extension with SP Justin Verlander, according to Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan. The two sides have talked about a five-year, $75 million deal, with Verlander looking to add a sixth year. Tigers | Looking at Kennedy, Blalock? Jon Paul Morosi, of FOXSports.com, reports the Detroit Tigers may be looking for some infield insurance due to the injuries of 2B Scott Sizemore (ankle) and 3B Brandon Inge (knees). Free-agent 2B Adam Kennedy (Athletics) and 3B Hank Blalock (Rangers) could be options. However, Blalock's defense at third base is "not good," according to one scout familiar with him. Kennedy would be able to play second and third base. Tigers | Sign seven Tom Gage, of The Detroit News, reports the Detroit Tigers signed OF Austin Jackson, 2B Scott Sizemore, P Phil Coke, OF Casper Wells, P Jay Sborz, SS Audy Ciriaco and OF Ryan Strieby to one-year deals Wednesday, Jan. 27. Tigers | Damon trying to engage team ESPN.com reports Scott Boras, the agent for free-agent OF Johnny Damon (Yankees), is trying to engage the Detroit Tigers as a possible alternative for his client, according to a baseball source. Tigers | Spring training invites issued Steve Kornacki, of Booth Newspapers, reports the Detroit Tigers issued 13 spring training invites to players Tuesday, Jan. 26. Included on the invite list were SS Gustavo Nunez, Cs Robinzon Diaz, Mike Rabelo, John Murrian, Eric Roof and Max St. Pierre, IFs Kory Casto and Jeff Larish, and Ps Cody Satterwhite, Robbie Weinhardt, Phil Dumatrait, Enrique Gonzalez and Josh Rainwater. Tigers | Interested in Thome The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the Detroit Tigers have shown some interest in adding free-agent 1B Jim Thome (Dodgers), according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Tigers | Zumaya to throw Updating previous reports, Tigers.MLB.com's Jason Beck reports Detroit Tigers RP Joel Zumaya (shoulder) is scheduled to throw off a mound this week. Tigers | Zumaya feeling great Lynn Henning, of The Detroit News, reports Detroit Tigers RP Joel Zumaya (shoulder) is feeling "the best it's felt in two years," according to Zumaya. "Everything at this point is encouraging. Basically, he's been cleared (to pitch) 100 percent. If he didn't have an injury history, you'd say he's ready to go," general manager Dave Dombrowski said. Pitching coach Rick Knapp said Zumaya's arm slot is better and his hand position is now higher, compared to his form last season. Tigers | Larish outrighted The Sports Network reports the Detroit Tigers outrighted 1B Jeff Larish to Triple-A Toledo Monday, Jan. 25. Tigers | Not looking for full-time DH Jason Beck, of MLB.com, reports the Detroit Tigers are looking for another left-handed hitter, but have made it clear that they do not want that player to be a full-time designated hitter, according to general manager Dave Dombrowski. "If we sign somebody, and we've said this all wintertime, we don't want them to just DH," Dombrowski said. "If we would ever do anything, that person needs to be primarily somebody that can play another position. Because we want to keep our DH spot open." Tigers | Willis disagrees with anxiety disorder diagnosis The Detroit Free Press' Drew Sharp reports Detroit Tigers SP Dontrelle Willis disagrees with the team's medical assessment that he had an anxiety disorder last season and said he suffered from a serious lack of confidence. Tigers | Avila decision will go to final week of March The Detroit Free Press reports the decision to keep Detroit Tigers C prospect Alex Avila on the big league roster will not be made until the end of spring training. Tigers | Leyland reluctant to use two rookies at top of lineup Clarifying previous items, The Detroit Free Press' John Lowe reports Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland is reluctant to use 2B Scott Sizemore in the order's No. 2 spot while OF Austin Jackson tries to establish himself at leadoff. "To have two rookies hitting in front of Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera, I don't know about that," Leyland said. "You've got to get people on base for the big boys." Tigers | Jackson knows he has big shoes to fill Booth Newspapers' Steve Kornacki reports Detroit Tigers OF Austin Jackson is aware he may replace OF Curtis Granderson in center and expectations are high. "The main thing I am hearing, 'You've got big shoes to fill.'" Jackson said. "I heard that with the Yankees. They expected (Mickey) Mantle. I just hope people can see I'm trying to make a name for myself." Tigers | Sizemore could bat second MLB.com's Jason Beck reports that Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland is considering having 2B Scott Sizemore bat second in the starting lineup during spring training games. Tigers | Jackson expected to bat leadoff in spring training games Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he will probably use OF Austin Jackson as his leadoff hitter during spring training games to see how he handles it, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck. Tigers | Galarraga not being moved Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said the team has received a lot of trade interest in SP Armando Galarraga, but the Tigers are not interested in moving him, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck. Tigers | Zumaya stays in Florida The Detroit News reports Detroit Tigers RP Joel Zumaya (shoulder) was kept off the winter traveling caravan so he could stay in Florida and work on his rehab program. "We kept him down in Lakeland on purpose so he can stick with his program," general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "He has full clearance from the doctors and is throwing without pain." Zumaya underwent surgery on his right shoulder last August. If healthy, he'll be groomed this spring as a setup man for CL Jose Valverde. Tigers | Willis trying to work his way back John Lowe, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Tigers SP Dontrelle Willis (anxiety) spent time at the Athletes' Performance Institute this offseason and is feeling great. Willis said that he has already started throwing at the team's Spring Training facilities. "I'm confident enough to know that I'll do whatever it takes for the team to need me," Willis said. "I don't care if it's starting or relieving. I just want to help the team win." Tigers | Cabrera struggled in day games FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi reports Detroit Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera said drinking make him feel tired and kind of lazy during games because he wasn't getting enough rest. Cabrera hit .333 with 26 homers and 77 RBIs during night games but hit .308 with eight homers and 26 RBIs in 58 day games in 2009. "I feel happy," Cabrera said. "I feel more comfortable with you guys (the media) talking. I feel like something in my life happened - something good. I feel great. I feel happy. Right now, it's going to be a new season, a new life for me. I want to be a better dad, a better husband, a better baseball player and better with the fans." Tigers | Inge cleared for baseball activities Tom Gage, of The Detroit News, reports Detroit Tigers 3B Brandon Inge (knees) was cleared by doctors to begin baseball activities Thursday, Jan. 21, following offseason surgery on both of his knees. "The pain I was feeling all last year is gone," said Inge. "The only pain I feel wouldn't even really classify as pain. I guess the way I would describe it, if you were to hold a water balloon in your hands and you squeeze it, that pressure is what I feel in the entire knee." Tigers | Verlander not close to multi-year pact John Lowe, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Tigers SP Justin Verlander is making it sound like he is nowhere near agreeing to a multi-year deal with the team. He prefers to work out a deal for this season before he works on a long-term extension. Tigers | Inge confident he will be ready John Lowe, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Tigers 3B Brandon Inge (knees) is expecting to be ready for the start of the 2010 season after undergoing offseason surgery on both of his knees. However, his rehab plan doesn't call for him to play in an exhibition game until two weeks before the start of the regular season. "I can push through any amount of pain, and my tendency is to push through it and get better quicker," Inge said. "But they really stressed to me that if I tried to push through it, I could get the tendonitis right back. So I have to take it slow." 2B Ryan Raburn, IF Don Kelly or 2B Ramon Santiago could fill in at third if Inge is not ready. Tigers | More on Cabrera's counseling Updating a previous report, ESPN.com reports Detroit Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera revealed that he has spent the past three months receiving treatment for alcoholism. Tigers | Cabrera has undergone counseling Jason Beck, of MLB.com, reports Detroit Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera said he has undergone counseling and has not had a drink since last fall. Tigers | Unsure of Jackson's role Tom Gage, of The Detroit News, reports Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland is unsure how he will use OF Austin Jackson in 2010. "I don't know much about him, and the reviews from a lot of people I respect in baseball went all over the place," Leyland said. "I have to wait and see how he looks in Spring Training." Leyland would not commit to starting Jackson in center field and batting him leadoff. Tigers | Leyland sees Coke in bullpen Tom Gage, of The Detroit News, reports Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland would prefer to use RP Phil Coke in the bullpen this season. "Personally I'm looking at him more as a bullpen guy," Leyland said. Tigers | Avila worked in Dominican Lynn Henning, of The Detroit News, reports Detroit Tigers C Alex Avila spent a month in the Dominican Republic Winter League this offseason working on his catching skills. "I worked on my foot quickness," said Avila. "It was a matter of coming up with different ways for blocking balls - something that fits your style." Tigers | Miner's financials disclosed Steve Kornacki, of Booth Newspapers, reports Detroit Tigers RP Zach Miner received $950,000 million for the 2010 season after he agreed to a one-year contract. Tigers | Seay's financials disclosed Steve Kornacki, of Booth Newspapers, reports Detroit Tigers RP Bobby Seay received $2.475 million for the 2010 season after he agreed to a one-year contract. Tigers | Laird's financials disclosed Steve Kornacki, of Booth Newspapers, reports Detroit Tigers C Gerald Laird received $3.95 million for the 2010 season after he agreed to a one-year contract. Tigers | Avoid arbitration with Laird James Jahnke, of the Detroit Free Press, reports the Detroit Tigers avoided arbitration with C Gerald Laird by agreeing to a one-year deal Tuesday, Jan. 19. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Tigers | Avoid arbitration with Seay James Jahnke, of the Detroit Free Press, reports the Detroit Tigers avoided arbitration with RP Bobby Seay by agreeing to a one-year deal Tuesday, Jan. 19. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. |
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