By Dick Scanlon, Associated Press
LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Matt Moore’s mind isn’t just on spring training.
He traveled to Tampa, where his wife his due to give birth any day now, then returned to Lakeland for the Detroit Tigers’ first workout.
“Everything’s OK,” the 29-year-old left-hander said Wednesday. “It’s our first baby.”
An All-Star with Tampa Bay in 2013, Moore was 3-8 with a 6.79 ERA last year in 12 starts and 27 relief appearances for Texas, a season after going 6-15 for San Francisco. He agreed to a $2.5 million deal with the Tigers and is projected to be part of a rotation that includes Matthew Boyd, Michael Fulmer, Jordan Zimmermann and Tyson Ross.
“There are a lot of jobs open, which is what you want,” second-year manager Ron Gardenhire said.
“Last year I was in a similar situation, coming in with a new team, so it’s just a matter of meeting everybody,” Moore said. “It’s cool to have the opportunity to start again, especially with a new club.”
Detroit is coming off a 64-98 season,
“I think baseball is one of those things where you’re going good or you’re not, trying to figure out a way to get out of those not-going-good phases and stretch out the good phases,” Moore said. “When you’re going good, don’t push it, don’t get too big on yourself. And when you’re going bad, don’t get too down on yourself and don’t overwork and kill yourself.”
Detroit’s first practice was moved indoors because of rain.
“We only have nine days before the first game so we have to get some work done and the rain today has kind of slowed us down,” second-year manager Ron Gardenhire said. “But you have to slow down and make sure we do it right, and create an atmosphere where these guys are excited to get to the ballpark every day.”
Notes: Fulmer, who had surgery on his right knee in September, will pitch with a brace, which does not seem to restrict him . . .