© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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 field that make up the Tigertown complex.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Matthew Boyd Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Matthew Boyd stretches out before exercises and drills during spring workouts.
Spencer Turnbull gets some stretches in next to teammate Buck Farmer.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Spencer Turnbull Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Spencer Turnbull stretches out before exercises and drills during spring workouts.
Jordan Zimmermann and Alex Wilson are both grizzled veterans hoping to make a positive impact on the team, albeit in very different ways.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Joe Jiménez Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Joe Jiménez warms up with a teammate on the backfields of Tigertown.
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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Michael Fulmer Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Michael Fulmer throws with the team during warmups.
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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Matthew Boyd Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Matthew Boyd works on his form during spring workouts.
Rule 5 Draft acquisition Rony Garcia gets his bullpen reps in on his first official day in a Detroit Tigers uniform.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Rony Garcia Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Rony Garcia throws a bullpen session during spring workouts.
Alex Faedo talks with his coach about the fine art of pitching as they work on various grips together.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Tigertown Front Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Alex Faedo discusses pitching with a coach during workouts.
General Manager Alex Avila looks on as his pitchers warm up in the bullpen with various forms of technology surrounding them.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Al Avila 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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Matthew Boyd Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Matthew Boyd works on his form during spring workouts.
Newcomer Austin Romine talks with fellow catcher Grayson Greiner after a bullpen session.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Jake Rogers Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Catcher Jake Rogers takes a break from bullpen duties during Wednesday's workout.
Eric Haase, who was acquired from the Cleveland Indians for cash considerations, takes a moment catch a breath in the bullpen.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Eric Haase Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Newcomer Eric Haase takes a moment during warmups in the bullpen area.
Spencer Turnbull throws on the field with a teammate, getting his arm stretched out.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Spencer Turnbull Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Spencer Turnbull throws with a teammate on the backfields of Tigertown.
Franklin Perez throws off the mound during pitch drills as his teammates look on.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Franklin Perez Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Franklin Perez performs his drill during the first official workout of spring training.
Casey Mize gets his work done doing dry drills to work on his form on the mound.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Casey Mize Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Top prospect pitcher Casey Mize does his dry drills during the first official spring workout.
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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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.
Joe Jiménez takes a break between warmup runs.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Joe Jiménez Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Joe Jiménez walks off the practice field after his workout.
A group of pitchers gather to listen to the coach give instructions in the bullpen.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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 professionality.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Matt Manning Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Prospect pitcher Matt Manning speaks with a reporter after his first official workout of spring.
A group of pitchers walk back after their warm up run as the day begins to wind down.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Daniel Norris Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Daniel Norris finishes his workout on the first day of spring training.
Spencer "Red Bull" Turnbull sports a slick pair of golden kicks as he finishes up his day.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Spencer Turnbull Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Pitcher Spencer Turnbull finishes up his workout on and heads off the field.
Fan awaited outside of the backfields in hopes of catching their favorite players. Manager Ron Gardenhire was more than happy to fulfill their requests.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys 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.
© Adam Dubbin / Bless You Boys Casey Mize Smile Feb. 12, 2020; Lakeland, Florida, USA — Detroit Tigers pitching prospect Casey Mize smiles while interacting with his fans.