Justin Verlander takes steps in right direction in Tigers' final exhibition game
· Yahoo Sports
Scottsdale, Ariz. — Justin Verlander gave up two more homers Tuesday, running his spring total to seven, but he called his final spring start a step in the right direction.
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“Still generating swing and miss,” said Verlander, who is scheduled to make his first regular-season start in Arizona’s home opener Monday. “Still need fastball control. It’s something I was trying to work on a little bit.”
Verlander gave up eight hits and six runs in 4 2-3 innings in the Tigers’ 11-8 victory over Colorado on Tuesday, both homers coming on 93 mph fastballs. He threw 70 pitches and got 10 swinging strikes, five on his 87 mph slider.
“I feel like, checked box No. 1 in staying healthy and getting through it,” Verlander said as he prepares for his 21st major league season and his first with the Tigers since 2017.
“At my age, it is hard to get the engine revving again. I feel good about that. I feel good about my off-speed stuff."
In four spring starts, Verlander gave up 17 hits and 12 runs, 11 earned, in 14 2-3 innings. He struck out 19 and walked five.
He chalked up some of his numbers to the fact that spring training is less about results and more about gearing up.
“In season, if something is not working, you scratch and claw and figure out how to get guys out that day,” he said. “In spring training, if something is not working, you work on it. For me, game speed is the only time you can work on stuff like that.
“These are major league hitters. They put good swings on baseballs. That’s how I analyze my day, especially in spring training. It’s more of analyzing how the hitters are perceiving my stuff, and I thought it was OK."
Verlander struck out Ryan Ritter on a 95 mph fastball with a runner on third for the final out of the second inning.
After getting two routine groundouts to open the third, Verlander hit Willie Castro with a pitch and loaded the bases on a single and a walk before Jordan Beck’s knuckling liner just fell in front of center fielder Matt Vierling's dive.
“Early in the game, I thought I was doing a good job locating it (fastball) and executing,” he said, “then the one inning starting yanking some. I need to fix that.”
Brett Sullivan’s homer in the fourth came after third baseman Jace Jung was charged with an error for over-running Sullivan’s foul near third base.
Handy Javy
The inclusion of Kevin McGonigle will not keep Javier Báez off shortstop, said Hinch, who at the same time envisions another plug-and-play role for Baez.
“One of the most endearing traits of Javy is that he is willing to do almost anything,” Hinch said. “He’ll go out there and do it right. He’s going to play a ton of shortstop. His willingness to be versatile helps this roster fit together. He’s a big part of this.”
Báez rediscovered his offense while moving all over the field last year, playing 62 games at shortstop, 53 in center field, 23 at third base and 10 at second.
“I don’t know exactly how it is going to play out, and I’m very comfortable not knowing,” Hinch said.
“We have a deeper team today, given our health and versatility, so I’m looking forward to putting it all together.”
Final outfield spot
Parker Meadows’ continued improvement this spring was a factor in the decision to keep him over Wenceel Perez, Hinch said.
“Parker’s spring was a tale of a couple of different springs,” Hinch said. “It was a grind for him early. He was working through a lot of adjustments he made over the spring, and even some new adjustments once he got to velocity and speed.
“His spring really went from trying to find the solution to being in a really productive place with his swing. He’s really come out of it on the other side in a really good place.”
Meadows slashed .222/.314/.289 with three doubles, three RBIs and three stolen bases in 44 spring at-bats.
“We know the elite defense and the presence, whether he starts or comes off the bench helps us win,” Hinch said.
Perez, who hit 13 homers in 383 plate appearances a year ago, saved his best for last this spring. He had his first two spring homers, five RBIs and a walk Tuesday. He was hitting .158 with no extra-base hits in his first 38 at-bats.
He was told before the game he was being optioned.
“He’s going to go to Triple-A to get locked back in and get locked back in to controlling the strike zone,” Hinch said.
Jack Magruder is a freelance writer.
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers ended exhibition season with 9-13 record