Detroit Tigers right-hander Rony Garcia will be working out of the bullpen this spring, but the door isn't closed forever for him in a starting role. "His best route to this team will be in that bridge role of being stretched out to two and three innings," manager A.J. Hinch said. In his third MLB campaign for Detroit last year, Garcia had a 4.41 ERA (4.52 FIP), 1.04 WHIP, 13 walks and a career-high 48 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched over 16 appearances (eight starts). The 25-year-old won't have much fantasy appeal in deeper leagues unless he returns to a starting role for Detroit at some point.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Rony Garcia was removed from his start against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. It's unclear what type of injury flared up for him, but he signaled for the team's trainers while he was on the mound and he was promptly removed from the game. Garcia had been activated from the 15-day injured list prior to starting Sunday's game. He had missed nearly a month of action due to right shoulder soreness. It's unclear at this point whether Sunday's removal was related the shoulder injury or not, but we should have more clarity on the situation soon.

DETROIT (AP) — This year, the start of spring training was meaningful in a different way for AJ Hinch. After winning a World Series and two pennants as Houston's manager, Hinch spent last season serving a suspension in the aftermath of the Astros' sign-stealing scandal. Now he has resurfaced with Detroit, and although it would be a surprise if the Tigers make the postseason, Hinch just appreciates the opportunity to be back in a big league dugout. “I hated being out of the game last year," said Hinch, who was hired as Detroit's manager in October. "I understand why, and I’m not going to take it for granted that I get to put on a major league uniform again and lead a group of guys throughout the season.” The Tigers had their first workout for pitchers and catchers Wednesday in Lakeland, Florida. “It rained before and after our workout, but we got in the full day one," Hinch said. "Pretty fun day.” Hinch and the Astros won the World Series in 2017, but an investigation found the Astros used... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Pittsburgh took right-hander Jose Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels’ organization with the first of 18 picks in the major league phase of Thursday’s winter meeting draft of players not protected on 40-man rosters. Soriano, 22, was 0-1 with a 1.93 ERA in three starts for the Arizona Rookie League Angels in 2019 and 5-6 with a 2.55 ERA in 15 starts and two relief appearances for Burlington of the Class A Midwest League. He missed last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. A team pays $100,000 to the club it selects a player from but must keep him on its active roster for all of next season or put him on waivers. Then, if he clears, he must be offered back to the previous club for $50,000. The selecting team also can place the player on the major league injured list. This year’s draft was conducted by audio rather than in person because the winter meetings were canceled due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Texas took right-hander Brett De Geus from the World... [More]