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Detroit Tigers: Verlander update, Cy Young matchup, Romine catching

By Dave Holcomb

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With each daily update, Detroit Tigers fans are hoping for some positive news on starting pitcher Justin Verlander‘s right triceps.

They will have to keep hoping because with each passing day, it looks more and more likely that Verlander will miss his first start to the season.

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That doesn’t, however, mean the Tigers will place him on the DL because the team has an off day during the first week of the season and could go with a four-man starting rotation for the time being. If Verlander does indeed miss the first week, that potentially sets up a Cy Young matchup between Tigers starter David Price and Indians ace Corey Kluber.

Luckily, the Tigers haven’t had any injuries behind the plate like they have on the pitching staff, but in case they do, super utilityman Andrew Romine is ready to wear the tools of ignorance. While training behind the plate this spring, Romine has gained a new found respect for the position.

Verlander ‘a stretch’ to make first start of the season – Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press

"But he will not throw in a major or minor league game on Friday and Ausmus said that “it’s a little bit of a stretch” to say he will make his first scheduled start of the regular season, on April 8 against the Twins.“But we won’t wave it off yet,” Ausmus said.Verlander is still working through soreness from a right triceps cramp that forced him to leave his March 27 start against the Blue Jays early.He threw 40 pitches over 2 2/3 innings that day.According to the Verlander, he has progressed better each day and according to Ausmus, today “he definitely felt better,” but apparently not enough to tune-up one more time this spring."

Second series of season for Detroit Tigers might feature matchup of David Price, Corey Kluber – Chris Iott, MLive.com

"That would leave the Price, the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner, and Kluber, who won the award last season, starting opposite each other in that game.Of course, it is early April. There is plenty of rain in the forecast for Detroit next week. So be aware that the pitching matchups are pretty fluid."

Tigers’ Romine catching on quickly to rigors behind dish – Chris McCosky, The Detroit News

"“I just kept putting fingers down until he shook his head yes,” Romine said. “I told him, ‘Just hang with me. Just wait until I put on down that you like and shake yes.’ The first inning was kind of long but the second was easier. I kind of figured out what he wanted to do with guys. He didn’t shake me off as much.”His body after two innings, particularly his legs, were exhausted. And he was just as spent mentally.“Once things got going and runners got on, there is a lot going on,” Romine said. “I hadn’t done that routine, trying to figure out what play was on, where the runners are, what pitches to call, how to pitch to the hitter."

Next: Five Bold Predictions for AL Central

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