Detroit Tigers Links: Lack of Depth Exposed, Castellanos Keeps Hitting, Coke Finds Release Point

Mar 14, 2014; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos (9) singles during a lengthy at-bat in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals during a spring training exhibition game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Tiger roster taking shape as lack of depth is exposed – Patrick OKennedy – Bless You Boys

"The Tigers have not invested a lot in their bench, nor do they have to. Not many teams have starting caliber players riding the bench. But the reality is that the players that they have to fill in when one of their starters goes down are just not very good with the bat."

A deeper bench wouldn’t help as much in the playoffs, but it would certainly help them win games to get there.

Castellanos continues his hit parade – Steve Kornacki – Fox Sports Detroit

"Winning the Grapefruit League Triple Crown isn’t something that gets put on the back of a player’s baseball card. However, Detroit Tigers rookie third baseman Nick Castellanos has a shot at it, and hasn’t stopped hitting during the first half of the exhibition game schedule."

I’m trying not to allow my expectations about Nick Castellanos’ 2014 season soar too high, but he’s making it very difficult this spring.

Tigers’ Phil Coke finds release point for breaking ball, has best outing of spring – Tony Paul – Detroit News

"Phil Coke, up and down — but mostly down — this spring training as he tries to hold onto his spot in the Tigers bullpen, had his best outing of camp Friday when he set down a trio of Nationals hitters with relative ease, and with just nine pitches.The outing came a day after he labored in the bullpen with pitching coach Jeff Jones, throwing a 25-pitch side session that focused mostly on a breaking ball that’s been all too loopy and hittable lately."

I would really love to see Phil Coke get “fixed”, but the reality is that he hasn’t ever really been particularly effective as a member of the Detroit Tigers. OK, there was that one NLCS against the New York Yankees, but that’s been basically it.

Jose Iglesias visits pain management specialist, appears unlikely to return in near future – James Schmehl – MLive

"Iglesias, who has been suffering from a tibial stress reaction in his shins, was fitted with a pain management devise by Dr. Rick Smith — a chiropractor from Winterhaven, Fla. — and was instructed to wear it for approximately 24 hours. The Tigers will review results of the biofeedback microcurrent device early Saturday to determine additional treatment."

You just have to hope that they can get this thing fixed so that it doesn’t sap his defensive abilities over the coming weeks, months, and years. Because otherwise he doesn’t have much to go on.