Lions hire Swinton as offensive assistant
The Detroit Lions have hired Derius Swinton as an offensive assistant coach. The Lions made the move Friday. Swinton has eight years of experience in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams.
His coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Tennessee in 2007 after he played football and basketball at Hampton.
The Lions hired Matt Patricia last month to replace Jim Caldwell. Patricia was on the New England Patriots’ staff for 14 seasons, the last six as defensive co-ordinator.
Detroit Tigers’ left-hander Travis Wood has a torn left ACL and medial meniscus in left knee. Wood twisted the knee while starting a rundown in the second inning of his spring training debut Thursday and fell to the ground clutching his knee. Detroit said Friday its training staff is evaluating surgical options. The 31-year-old, who pitched in three games of the 2016 World Series for the Chicago Cubs, agreed to a minor league contract with the Tigers.
He was held out of the early exhibition games because of an injury to his right index finger, sustained during a hunting accident.
The Cincinnati Reds claimed left-hander Jairo Labourt off waivers from the Detroit Tigers on Friday and optioned him to their minor league camp. Detroit had designated the 23-year-old reliever for assignment. He appeared in six games for the Tigers last season and had a 4.50 ERA, walking seven in six innings. Right-handed starter Rookie Davis was placed on the 60-day disabled list Friday as he recovers from hip surgery. The Reds also assigned right-handers Barrett Astin, Ben Rowen and Domingo Tapia to their minor league camp.