Tigers Spring Training 2020

Photos: First official workout of spring training 2020

It was a beautifully perfect day for the first official workout of the Detroit Tigers’ baseball season.

By Adam Dubbin@AdamDubbin Feb 14, 2020, 10:20am EST

Olde English D Wall — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — The Olde English D at Tigertown.

Baseball has officially returned to action as of Wednesday, as the Detroit Tigers organization held its first workout after its mandatory report date had passed for pitchers and catchers the previous day. Like a slumbering bear awakening from its hibernation, the players also emerged from their offseason abodes and began preparing for the new season ahead.

The morning began with a dense February fog hovering over the landscape of central Florida which was quickly burned away by the sun as players began trickling out of the clubhouse. By the time workouts had officially started, it was a clear and beautiful Florida day.

All of the action took place on the backfields but the main venue in Publix-Joker Marchant Stadium was in tip-top form — dare I say, in the best shape of its life.

Publix-Joker Marchant Stadium Field — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — The scoreboard at Publix-Joker Marchant Stadium on Wednesday morning.

Walking through the gates behind the stadium takes you to the front door of the franchise’s developmental headquarters.

Tigertown Front — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — The front doors to Tigertown.

Once out on the backfields, the players were warmed up on the various fields that make up the Tigertown complex.

Tigers Pitchers — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — The Tigers’ pitchers corps stretches out before exercises and drills during spring workouts.

All of the players were sure to get a proper stretch in on their first day — especially Matthew Boyd, who has been working out through the offseason.

Spencer Turnbull gets some stretches in next to teammate Buck Farmer.

Jordan Zimmermann and Alex Wilson are both grizzled veterans hoping to make a positive impact on the team, albeit in very different ways.

Jordan Zimmermann & Alex Wilson — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitchers Jordan Zimmermann (left) and Alex Wilson (right) stretch out before exercises and drills during spring workouts.

Joe Jiménez has already been in camp for a couple of weeks, and looks to rejuvenate his once highly-heralded status as a back-end relief pitcher.

Michael Fulmer is coming off of major surgery and is not due back until the middle of summer, but is still working out with the team this spring despite being placed on the 60-day IL.

Buck Farmer, who is hoping to build on his solid 2019 campaign, warms up next to another reliever who needs a strong 2020 as well.

Joe Jiménez & Buck Farmer — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitchers Joe Jiménez and Buck Farmer stand next to each other during warmup throws.

Beau Burrows warms up with Joey Wentz, who was acquired last year in the Shane Greene trade.

Beau Burrows & Joey Wentz — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Beau Burrows and Joey Wentz warm up together on the backfields of Tigertown.

John Schreiber and Casey Mize both hustle to the next station on their workout circuit.

John Schreiber & Casey Mize — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitchers John Schreiber and Casey Mize hustle to the next station during spring workouts.

Matthew Boyd works with his coach to adjust his form and delivery as he begins calibrating for the spring training season.

Rule 5 Draft acquisition Rony Garcia gets his bullpen reps in on his first official day in a Detroit Tigers uniform.

Alex Faedo talks with pitching coach Rick Anderson about the fine art of pitching as they work on various grips together.

General Manager Alex Avila looks on as his pitchers warm up in the bullpen with various forms of technology surrounding them.

Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — General Manager Al Avila watches the pitchers throw during their bullpen session.

The Tigers have employed the Rapsodo pitch-tracking device for the second-straight year this spring training in an effort to take advantage of what technology has to offer.

Rapsodo ground device — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — The ground unit for the Rapsodo pitch-tracking device.

Matthew Boyd is a man on a mission.

Newcomer Austin Romine talks with fellow catcher Grayson Greiner after a bullpen session.

Austin Romine & Grayson Greiner — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Austin Romine (left) and Grayson Greiner (right) talk after their bullpen shift during workouts.

Jake Rogers takes a break after his bullpen session and hopes to take some steps forward this season behind the dish and at the plate.

Brady Policelli takes a moment to catch his breath in the bullpen.

Spencer Turnbull throws on the field with a teammate, getting his arm stretched out.

Franklin Perez throws off the mound during pitch drills as his teammates look on.

Casey Mize gets his work done doing dry drills to work on his form on the mound.

While neither a pitcher nor catcher, Willi Castro was in camp getting ready for the season as well with some reps in the batting cages.

Joe Jiménez takes a break between warmup runs.

A group of pitchers gather to listen to the coach give instructions in the bullpen.

Pitching Corps — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — A group of pitchers gather on the mound to talk with the coach.

Alex Faedo and Anthony Castro discuss baseball while working out together.

Alex Faedo & Anthony Castro talk — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Alex Faedo (left) & Anthony Castro (right) talk during workouts at Tigertown.

Matt Manning was interviewed after he finished his workouts, and as always he conducted himself as a paragon of professionalism.

A group of pitchers walk back after their warm up run as the day begins to wind down.

Tigers Pitchers Group — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — A group of Tigers pitchers walks back during sprint exercises.

Things started to get hot in Lakeland, and we’re not sure if it was the suffocating heat and humidity or Daniel Norris disrobing at the end of his exercise.

Spencer “Red Bull” Turnbull sports a slick pair of golden kicks as he finishes up his day.

Fans waited outside of the backfields in hopes of catching their favorite players. Manager Ron Gardenhire was more than happy to fulfill their requests.

Ron Gardenhire and fans — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Ron Gardenhire signs autographs for fans waiting outside of the practice fields.

Casey Mize gives an 80-grade smile as he interacts with an adoring fan.

Casey Mize Smile — Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Detroit Tigers pitching prospect Casey Mize smiles while interacting with his fans.

Photos: First official workout of spring training 2020

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