Detroit Tigers starter Jack Flaherty looks sharp in final spring training outing
LAKELAND, Fla. – The Detroit Tigers tied the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, 0-0, in their final spring game in Lakeland.
The crowd was announced at 10,468 -- the largest ever at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Detroit is 12-12 in Grapefruit League play. It was the Tigers' fourth tie of the spring training.
What happened
Jack Flaherty got his final start of the spring and looked ready to start the season.
Now.
Because he completely shut down the Braves.
Flaherty threw six innings, scattering three hits. He didn’t allow a run, didn’t walk anybody and struck out five.
"It was really good day for him, especially as he got into his outing," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. "It's so hard for a veteran guy to finish camp when he's working on things and he's trying to get to the finish line.
"I thought he did a good job of bringing a little bit of intensity and a little bit of stuff and a lot of endurance and swing and miss and a good last outing."
Flaherty is expected to pitch Game 2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.
Starting off
Javier Báez made his debut in center field for the Tigers – something Hinch has been hinting might happen.
But he didn't get any action.
"He did touch the ball on the backup, but that's about probably as much as he got out of center field," Hinch said. "We'll see him again, probably in San Francisco for a few."
What did he want to see from Báez?
“Just catch the fly balls and get the ball in,” Hinch said before the game. “We talked about this, as an option for him. We just want the reps. I may get him a couple innings in San Francisco, just because the third deck.”
To prepare for this game, Báez played in a couple of simulated games. “I think he's played 10 or 12 innings, maybe 14 innings in center,” Hinch said. “So not brand, brand new to him.”
The Tigers are not committed to playing Báez in the outfield.
“We'll see what how it looks,” Hinch said.
Then, he gave a scenario that he is preparing for.
Perhaps, Riley Greene is the designated hitter and Wenceel Pérez needs a day off. Then, Báez could end up in center.
“I don't want the first one to be at Dodger Stadium if the game leads me that way,” Hinch said.
At the plate
Justyn-Henry Malloy, who is fighting for one of the last roster spots, just keeps hitting.
Malloy was scratched from the lineup Friday night because of a stomach bug. But he was back in action Saturday, picking up a pair of hits.
Zach McKinstry also had a pair of hits.
On the mound
Kenta Maeda has been informed that he will start the season in the bullpen and he looked like a weapon. Maeda struck out two, didn't walk anybody and mowed down the Braves.
Andrew Chaffin, who is trying to make the roster, struck out three in an inning of work.
"It was good to see him, you know, have the spin and be able to get below bat," Hinch said.
Three stars
1. Flaherty; 2. Malloy; 3. Maeda.
Next up: Phillies
Sunday (12:05 p.m., no TV) vs. Philadelphia in Clearwater.
TRENDING: Jackson Jobe and Casey Mize have made Tigers starting pitching rotation
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on X @seideljeff.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Jack Flaherty looks sharp in final spring outing
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