Detroit Tigers southpaw Tarik Skubal is set to make his next start on the backfields in Lakeland, Florida.
Instead of joining the team for their upcoming game against the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, Skubal will participate in a simulated game against teammates on the TigerTown backfields. This strategic decision is aimed at avoiding giving the Mets an opportunity to prepare for Skubal, as the two teams face each other in the regular season shortly after.
Skubal, slated to start on Opening Day against the Chicago White Sox on March 28, followed by a matchup with the Mets on April 2, will skip the road trip to Port St. Lucie to keep opponents guessing. The Tigers plan to field other pitchers in various matchups, with right-handers Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty taking the mound in different locations.
Right-hander Casey Mize will start against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, working on regaining control of his fastball after elbow surgery, while right-hander Matt Manning, seeking to build on early success, will start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday in Lakeland.
Although the starter for Sunday’s game against the Mets is yet to be determined, the Tigers are expected to bring many regular position players on the two-day trip to southeast Florida. The team will then head to West Palm Beach for a game against the Houston Astros on Monday.
INJURY UPDATES
In injury updates, right-handed reliever Brendan White, recovering from posterior elbow discomfort, has been cleared for all baseball activities after three bullpen sessions. White, likely to pitch for Triple-A Toledo in the upcoming season, aims to build up his volume in preparation for his first spring training appearance.
Additionally, two pitchers are still on the path to recovery from injuries: right-handed reliever Sawyer Gipson-Long, dealing with a left groin strain, and right-handed reliever Garrett Hill, rehabilitating from a right lat/shoulder strain. Both continue to make progress in their respective recovery processes.
