Detroit Tigers: Important spring training dates to remember

Spring training for the Detroit Tigers begins next week

The sun may be beginning to shine more often here in Michigan, but it's still pretty cold outside. Down in Lakeland, FL, where the Detroit Tigers spring training faciity is, it's supposed to be in the 70s and 80s throughout the week and next week as well. Spring is in the air, ladies and gentleman.

Believe it or not, pitchers and catchers report for spring training next week. That may be crazy to think about, but it's true. This offseason has flown by, and baseball is just around the corner.

With things starting to ramp up in the baseball world, we figured now would be a great opportunity to lay out some important spring training dates to remember. Things are starting a little earlier because of the World Baseball Classic this season, so we'll be sure to mention anything that will be affected by that.

Without further ado, let's start talking about some actual baseball activities.

Feb. 13: Pitchers and catchers in WBC report

Pitchers and catchers who are partcipating in the World Baseball Classic will report two days before the other pitchers and catchers. So far, the Detroit Tigers do not have any pitchers or catchers that are known to be participating in the WBC, though full rosters for the event have yet to be announced.

Feb. 15: Pitchers and catchers report

As stated before, all the other pitchers and catchers report two days later. Expect the Tigers social media team to post some content simply featuring the sounds of baseball returning on this day.

Feb. 16: Position players in WBC report

Position players competing in the World Baseball Classic must report by Feb. 16. So far, the Tigers have three known participants in the WBC—Javier Baez (Puerto Rico), Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela), and Jonathan Schoop (Netherlands). You can expect to see them rolling in a few days earlier than everyone else.

Feb. 20: All other position players report/first full-squad workout

Everyone else who hasn't already reported to spring training must be present by Feb. 20, which is also when the first full-squad workout will be held. Expect more "sights and sounds" posts from the social media team that day.

Feb. 25: Grapefruit League opener vs. Phillies

The Detroit Tigers will open Grapefruit League play at Joker Marchant Stadium on Feb. 25 against the defending National League champion Phillies. The game will be broadcast on 1270 AM radio locally in Detroit.

March 5: First Bally Sports Detroit TV broadcast

You can watch the Tigers on TV for the first time this spring when they visit the Twins on Sunday, March 5. You may get a taste of the new broadcast team BSD has this season.

March 8, 9, 13, 17, 20, 22: All other Bally Sports Detroit broadcast dates

All of the other Bally Sports Detroit TV broadcasts are listed above. It's worth noting that MLB Network may carry other Tigers spring training games via simulcast of opposing teams' broadcasts. Most of the games will be available on the radio. Later this week we'll put together a piece detailing how you can watch the Detroit Tigers this spring.

March 8-21: World Baseball Classic

The World Baseball Classic will take place during a two-week stretch in the middle of spring training. Players competing in the event will leave their teams to represent their respective countries.

March 26: Final spring training game vs. Rays

The Tigers will close spring training with a game against the Rays, which coincidentally will be the team they play on Opening Day on March 30.

Roster cut dates have not yet been announced. Those would be other dates to keep an eye on. Expect those to be some time in March.