DETROIT (AP) — For a decade, opening day for the Detroit Tigers belonged almost exclusively to Justin Verlander.Times have changed.Verlander is with Houston now, and Detroit is set to start Jordan Zimmermann in Thursday's opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It's a nice honor for Zimmermann, who has battled injuries and ineffectiveness during two seasons with the Tigers."I worked extremely hard this offseason to get to this point and to stay healthy all spring. I feel like I did everything I could to get to this point," Zimmermann said. "To get this opportunity to come out here on opening day and pitch in front of these fans means a lot."Verlander started every opener for Detroit from 2008-14 and again from 2016-17. Then the Tigers traded him to the Astros toward the end of last season as Detroit committed to rebuilding. The Tigers finished tied for the worst record in baseball in 2017, and it's hard to say when this franchise will contend again for a postseason spot.Ron Gardenhire was... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — For a decade, opening day for the Detroit Tigers belonged almost exclusively to Justin Verlander.Times have changed.Verlander is with Houston now, and Detroit is set to start Jordan Zimmermann in Thursday's opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It's a nice honor for Zimmermann, who has battled injuries and ineffectiveness during two seasons with the Tigers."I worked extremely hard this offseason to get to this point and to stay healthy all spring. I feel like I did everything I could to get to this point," Zimmermann said. "To get this opportunity to come out here on opening day and pitch in front of these fans means a lot."Verlander started every opener for Detroit from 2008-14 and again from 2016-17. Then the Tigers traded him to the Astros toward the end of last season as Detroit committed to rebuilding. The Tigers finished tied for the worst record in baseball in 2017, and it's hard to say when this franchise will contend again for a postseason spot.Ron Gardenhire was... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics designated Brandon Moss for assignment Sunday and claimed left-hander Jairo Labourt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.Oakland had acquired Moss from Kansas City in January for a second stint with the club after playing for the A's from 2012-14, but it wound up being a short return.Moss played in 118 games for the Royals last season.Labourt had been claimed off waivers by the Reds on Friday from Detroit. He made six relief appearances for the Tigers last season, going 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA in six innings.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds claimed left-hander Jairo Labourt off waivers from the Detroit Tigers on Friday and optioned him to their minor league camp.Detroit had designated the 23-year-old reliever for assignment. He appeared in six games for the Tigers last season and had a 4.50 ERA, walking seven in six innings.Right-handed starter Rookie Davis was placed on the 60-day disabled list Friday as he recovers from hip surgery. The Reds also assigned right-handers Barrett Astin, Ben Rowen and Domingo Tapia to their minor league camp.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

LHP Jairo Labourt, 23, made his major league debut Friday night, pitching the eighth inning of Detroit's 10-0 second-game loss to Cleveland. Labourt was recalled Friday from Triple-A Toledo. Labourt, obtained from Toronto in 2015 as part of the deal that sent the Blue Jays LHP David Price, has pitched through three minor league levels this season. He allowed a hit to the first batter he faced Friday night but retired the next three.