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

a large clock tower sitting in the grass: Publix-Joker Marchant Stadium Field © 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.

a large white building: Tigertown Front © 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.

a group of baseball players standing on top of a grass covered field: Tigers Pitchers © 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.

a group of baseball players playing a football game: Matthew Boyd © 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.

a man throwing a baseball on a field: Spencer Turnbull © 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.

a group of people playing football on a field: Jordan Zimmermann & Alex Wilson © 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.

a person throwing a baseball on a field: Joe Jiménez © 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.

a man in a baseball uniform throwing a ball: Michael Fulmer © 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.

a group of baseball players standing on top of a grass covered field: Joe Jiménez & Buck Farmer © 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.

a person with a football ball on a baseball field: Beau Burrows & Joey Wentz © 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.

a group of baseball players standing on top of a grass covered field: John Schreiber & Casey Mize © 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.

a group of men playing a game of baseball: Matthew Boyd © 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.

a baseball player holding a bat: Rony Garcia © 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.

a man holding a baseball bat: Tigertown Front © 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.

Al Avila © 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.

Rapsodo ground device © 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.

Leon Boyd standing on a baseball field: Matthew Boyd © 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.

a group of baseball players that are standing in the grass: Austin Romine & Grayson Greiner © 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.

a young boy holding a baseball bat: Jake Rogers © 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.

a couple of baseball players standing on top of a grass covered field: Eric Haase © 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.

a baseball player pitching a ball on a field: Spencer Turnbull © 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.

a group of baseball players standing on top of a field: Franklin Perez © 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.

a pitcher throws a pitch at a baseball game: Casey Mize © 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.

a man wearing a hat and sunglasses: Willi Castro © 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.

a man standing on a baseball field: Joe Jiménez © 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.

a group of baseball players standing on top of a field: Pitching Corps © 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.

a man standing on a baseball field: Alex Faedo & Anthony Castro talk © 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.

a man standing on a baseball field: Matt Manning © 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.

a group of baseball players standing on top of a grass covered field: Tigers Pitchers Group © 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.

a man standing on a baseball field: Daniel Norris © 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.

a person holding a baseball bat on a field: Spencer Turnbull © 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.

a group of people standing in front of a crowd: Ron Gardenhire and fans © 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.

a man wearing a hat: Casey Mize Smile © 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.