Detroit Tigers: Krol fighting for spot, Two utility men, Greene works change-up

If there appears to be something more than meets the eye, than usually that’s the case.

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Relief pitcher Ian Krol didn’t have a good 2014 and the Tigers organization admitted this week it wasn’t just because of his lingering left shoulder injury.

All spring long, Andrew Romine and Hernan Perez were reportedly competing for the lone utilityman spot available on the Tigers roster. With less than two weeks remaining until Opening Day, however, it now appears both Romine and Perez could begin the season on the major league roster.

That would send fifth outfielder Tyler Collins to Triple-A.

It would sure give the Tigers a huge boost if youngster Shane Greene can be a viable starting pitcher in the backend of Detroit’s starting rotation. In order for that to occur, the 26-year-old needs to improve his change-up, which was the focus of his workout on Monday.

More mature Ian Krol fights for Tigers roster spot – Tony Paul, The Detroit News

"The problem was discussed at length after the season with Ausmus and pitching coach Jeff Jones, and then Krol, home in Chicago, set out to become better.Better at pitching. Better at life.Care to elaborate?“Nah, it wasn’t anything too extensive, it wasn’t anything too serious,” Krol said outside the Joker Marchant Stadium clubhouse on a muggy, overcast Monday morning, following a 15-pitch bullpen session."

Roster projection: Andrew Romine, Hernan Perez could be Detroit Tigers teammates on Opening Day – Chris Iott, MLive.com

"These categories should be separated, but with Andrew Romine and Hernan Perez both out of options, the Tigers are considering carrying both of them in lieu of a fifth outfielder, namely Tyler Collins.In fact, as the days go on, it seems more and more likely that the Tigers will carry Romine and Perez, at least to start the season."

Tigers’ Shane Greene works on change-up – Tony Paul, The Detroit News

"The big focus for Greene on Monday, as it has been for much of the spring, has been his change-up. It’s a pitch that most youngsters are trying to master while they’re already in the major leagues — because it’s a pitch they rarely need in the minors.“A lot of times, they’re trying to get to the next level as quickly as they can, and they kind of get away from what might be successful at the big-league level,” Jones said. “A lot of times, they’ll put a pitch on the back burner.”"

Next: Anibal Sanchez: Detroit Tigers Hidden Gem