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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.

Olde English D Wall
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — The Olde English D at Tigertown.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.

Matthew Boyd
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Matthew Boyd stretches out before exercises and drills during spring workouts.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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

Spencer Turnbull
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Spencer Turnbull stretches out before exercises and drills during spring workouts.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.

Joe Jiménez
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Joe Jiménez warms up with a teammate on the backfields of Tigertown.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.

Michael Fulmer
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Michael Fulmer throws with the team during warmups.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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

Matthew Boyd
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Matthew Boyd works on his form during spring workouts.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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

Rony Garcia
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Rony Garcia throws a bullpen session during spring workouts.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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

Alex Faedo
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Alex Faedo discusses pitching with a coach during workouts.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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

Al Avila
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — General Manager Al Avila watches the pitchers throw during their bullpen session.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

Matthew Boyd is a man on a mission.

Matthew Boyd
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Matthew Boyd works on his form during spring workouts.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.

Jake Rogers
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Catcher Jake Rogers takes a break from bullpen duties during Wednesday’s workout.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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

Brady Policelli
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Catcher Brady Policelli takes a moment during warmups in the bullpen area.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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

Spencer Turnbull
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Spencer Turnbull throws with a teammate on the backfields of Tigertown.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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

Franklin Perez
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Franklin Perez performs his drill during the first official workout of spring training.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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

Casey Mize
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Top prospect pitcher Casey Mize does his dry drills during the first official spring workout.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.

Willi Castro
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Shortstop prospect Willi Castro is already in camp with the mandatory pitcher’s and catcher’s workout.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

Joe Jiménez takes a break between warmup runs.

Joe Jiménez
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Joe Jiménez walks off the practice field after his workout.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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

Matt Manning
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Prospect pitcher Matt Manning speaks with a reporter after his first official workout of spring.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.

Daniel Norris
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Daniel Norris finishes his workout on the first day of spring training.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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

Spencer Turnbull
Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Spencer Turnbull finishes up his workout on and heads off the field.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys

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.
Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys