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Monday was a busy day in the baseball world.
MLB and the MLBPA agreed to an experimental home plate collision ban, Justin Verlander is successfully throwing and complaining about his own pitches, and the full lineup for game one of spring training was released by the Detroit Tigers.
Cutting down on the number of players who are in pre-arbitration eligible status, the Detroit Tigers announced they have agreed to terms with seven players on contracts for the 2014 season.
The players are right-handed pitchers Jose Ortega, Luke Putkonen, and Evan Reed, left-handed pitchers Kyle Lobstein and Drew Smyly, infielder Nick Castellanos and outfielder Steven Moya.
With seven players agreeing to terms today, the Tigers now have 32 players on the club's 40-man roster under contract for the 2014 season.
The Tigers noted the possibility for Kyle Lobstein to make a few appearances at Comerica Park this year if he continues to demonstrate the strength he's displayed so far in spring training.
After acquiring him in 2012, he advanced from Double-A Erie, where he pitched a 3.12 ERA, to Triple-A Toledo where he's held a 3.48 ERA. So far, the Tigers like what they're seeing from the tall left-handed pitcher.
Alex Avila is sitting out of the Southern Florida game Tuesday in order to rest his back after two days of back spasms. He told reporters he experiences them roughly twice every year and it's not anything to be overly concerned about.