Tigers ink Saltalamacchia to minor league deal
The Detroit Tigers have brought back a familiar face, with the club signing former catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a minor-league deal on Friday and inviting him to the main camp.
The 32-year-old Saltalamacchia was the backup catcher for the Tigers in 2016, but his status with this year’s team is uncertain. James McCann is the clear No. 1 catcher and the club is expected to give John Hicks a long look as the backup. The 28-year-old Hicks hit .266 in 60 games with the Tigers last season.
The switch-hitting Saltalamacchia, who can also play first base, is one of three veteran catchers now in camp with the Tigers along with Brayan Pena, who played with the Tigers in 2013, and Derek Norris, who was an all-star with San Diego in 2013. All three are on minorleague deals.
The six-foot-four, 235-pound Saltalamacchia has played for seven Major League Baseball teams in parts of 11 seasons since being drafted in the first round by Atlanta in 2003. Saltalamacchia made the Toronto Blue Jays roster out of spring training a year ago, but was designated for assignment after starting 1-for-25 at the plate with 16 strikeouts.
TIGERS CUT FIVE
The Detroit Tigers optioned five pitchers to the minors on Friday to bring the club’s spring training roster down to 52. Right-handers Artie Lewicki and Zac Reininger were sent to TripleA Toledo.
An eighth-round pick by Detroit in 2015, the 25-year-old Lewicki made his major league debut with the Tigers in September after going 5-0 at Toledo and 9-4 at Double-A Erie. The 25-year-old Reininger appeared in 10 games for Detroit last year after starting the season with Class-A Lakeland and moving up to Erie and Toledo. The Tigers also sent right-handers Gerson Moreno and Spencer Turnbull to Erie. The 22-year-old Moreno pitched for Lakeland and Erie last season, while the 25-yearold Turnbull, who was a secondround pick by the club in 2014, started with Detroit’s rookie ball team last season before working his way to Erie. Left-hander Gregory Soto was sent to Lakeland. The 23-yearold Soto was a combined 12-2 last season with Lakeland and Class-A West Michigan with 144 strikeouts in 124 innings.
LIONS COACHING STAFF
New Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia has again reached to his past for an assistant coach.
Patricia added Billy Yates under what the team is calling the William Clay Ford minority coaching assistantship.
The 37-year-old Yates was a backup offensive lineman for the New England Patriots from 200508. Patricia was New England’s assistant offensive line coach in 2005. Yates also spent time with Miami and Cleveland over an eight-year NFL career. Yates was the head strength and conditioning coach at Bowling Green University last season and also spent time with Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University.
The hiring of Yates comes a day after Detroit hired Steve Gregory as a defensive assistant coach. The 35-year-old Gregory played eight seasons in the NFL as a defensive back with San Diego and New England.