Blaqsbi | Post:

Post: #AJHinch

I'm not a fan of putting in and pulling out new pitchers every inning or less. 🤦🏾

#Detroit #AJHinch

Down to three: Hinch narrows Tigers' list of candidates for starting rotation Lakeland, Fla. — Even after he rebounded this spring to pitch in a manner the Detroit Tigers more expected a year ago, Kenta Maeda is out — for now — as a rotation starter.  Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Friday that Maeda will work in Detroit’s bullpen when the team’s 2025 season begins next Thursday against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.  “What we saw from Kenta this spring was really good,” Hinch said before Friday evening’s Grapefruit League duel against the Yankees at Marchant Stadium/Publix Field. “The guy doesn’t walk people. He strikes out guys. He had one bout with sickness (a virus-sapped start on March 10 at Tampa), but he was really good this spring.  “A couple of wind-blown home runs. His power was up. His fastball (velocity) was up, his split was good. And we’re going to utilize him.”  Maeda, who next month turns 37, was a right-handed option as Hinch bolts together his early rendition of the 2025 Tigers rotation. Maeda's shift to relief means Casey Mize, Jackson Jobe, and Keider Montero are in a three-man chase to grab Hinch’s final two rotation slots behind Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty and Reese Olson.  Maeda has worked in four Grapefruit games in the past month, including three starts. Other than his bug-diminished day against the Yankees at Tampa (four innings, seven hits, five earned runs), he has pitched — on balance — with some of the zest the Tigers banked on when they signed him early in November 2023, to a two-year, $24-million deal.  He has struck out 19 batters in 12.2 innings and walked one, good for a handsome 1.11 WHIP. Hinch said Maeda would pitch a multi-innings bullpen stint Saturday against the Braves at Lakeland. He also, the skipper said, will throw a single inning against the Giants next week as the Tigers play a pair of exhibition games at San Francisco ahead of Opening Day at L.A.  “Moving him to the bullpen is one thing,” Hinch said, “and who knows if there’s a chance to start some games for us? But I do like the progress he showed.”  Maeda has been “a step better,” Hinch continued, speaking of Maeda’s turnaround following a dismal 2024 season (29 games, a 6.09 ERA, and a mid-season move to the bullpen). “And it really started that way — which is indicative of the work he put in during the winter.   “I know he wants an important role. I think, sometimes, the natural reaction for people in our sport when you don’t make the rotation is that you slide to a long-man role or they think you’re stuffed away in the ‘pen.  “But that’s not true. He can still earn his innings — he can earn important innings. But he wasn’t going to be in the rotation, and like I’ve always said, I was going to tell him as soon as that decision was made.”  Vierling, Meadows updates  Matt Vierling is still healing from his strained rotator cuff but has progressed to taking batting practice, the Tigers said Friday by way of their weekly injury report, while Parker Meadows and his nerve inflammation issue are no closer to being resolved.  “Yeah, with Mattie, it’s encouraging news — just a slow process,” Hinch said of a right fielder and third baseman whose right-handed bat offered Hinch key lineup options. “I feel for him, because he’s not going to go with us (team flight to begin the regular season). I’m encouraged how he’s doing. We just have to stay uber-disciplined to stay on the rehab process.  “We’ll get him healthy and we have a lot of confidence he’s gonna have a good season and play a lot. But we’re not ready to ramp it up to a point of being too aggressive.”  Meadows’ void is even tougher on the Tigers. Their defensive wizard in center, as well as a leadoff batter who could give Hinch’s offense a jolt, Meadows and his left-handed punch will be missing next week and for an indefinite time thereafter.  “Step by step,” Hinch said of Meadows’ progression. “That’s the encouraging part. We just don’t know what that means in its entirety. I think everyone, including Parker would love to have a date on the calendar (for a lineup return).   “We’re just not there yet.”  Lynn Henning is a freelance writer and former Detroit News sports reporter. This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Down to three: Hinch narrows Tigers' list of candidates for starting rotation

Lakeland, Fla. — Even after he rebounded this spring to pitch in a manner the Detroit Tigers more expected a year ago, Kenta Maeda is out — for now — as a rotation starter. 


Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Friday that Maeda will work in Detroit’s bullpen when the… #DetroitTigers #KentaMaeda #AJHinch

Hinch to miss Tigers' spring opener to attend funeral of his long-time friend Rich Dauer Lakeland, Fla. — Other than a split-squad game or two, manager AJ Hinch has never missed a spring game in his four years with the Tigers. He’s going to miss his first one on Saturday — the Tigers' Grapefruit League opener against the Phillies at Joker…

Lakeland, Fla. — Other than a split-squad game or two, manager AJ Hinch has never missed a spring game in his four years with the Tigers.


He’s going to miss his first one on Saturday — the Tigers' Grapefruit League opener against the Phillies at Joker Marchant Stadium… #Tigers #AJHinch #RichDauer

Tigers' AJ Hinch fields questions about Alex Bregman, who is 'very close to my heart' Lakeland, Fla. — Tigers manager AJ Hinch deftly fielded the inevitable questions about free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, avoiding the landmines. "I get asked about it on airplanes, in restaurants, walking down the street," he said Wednesday. "I…

Lakeland, Fla. — Tigers manager AJ Hinch deftly fielded the inevitable questions about free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, avoiding the landmines.


"I get asked about it on airplanes, in restaurants, walking down the street," he said Wednesday. "I live in Houston… #Tigers #AJHinch #AlexBregman

Dan Campbell is having to employ "defense chaos" with all the injuries, just as AJ Hinch used "pitching chaos" to deal with injuries to the Tigers' pitching staff. #detroittigers #detroitlions #mcdc #AJHinch

Detroit Tigers' A.J. Hinch finishes 3rd in 2024 American League Manager of the Year voting Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch came up short in the 2024 AL Manager of the Year race, losing to Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt.

@highlight, This just SUCKS!!! #AJHinch DESEREVES the AL Manager of the year after bringing the #Tigers back from 11 games under .500 to make the #2024Postseason. Chris Ruzzin 11/20/24 www.freep.com/story/sports...

Los Tigres esperan que Carpenter pueda salir de la banca en el Juego 5 de la ALDS mientras lidia con una lesión en el tendón de la corva CLEVELAND (AP) — Los Tigres de Detroit esperan toletero Kerry Carpenter puede salir de la banca en el decisivo Juego 5 de la Serie Divisional de la Liga Amer

CLEVELAND (AP) — Los Tigres de Detroit esperan toletero Kerry Carpenter puede salir de la banca en el decisivo Juego 5 de la Serie Divisional de la Liga Americana el sábado contra Cleveland a pesar de lidiar con una lesión en el tendón de la corva.Carpenter #AJHinch
usatoday24.com/los-tigres-e...