The Detroit Tigers took on the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, Florida. The Tigers and Blue Jays only played five innings because of rain, but Detroit was washed away early and lost the game, 4-1.
Justin Verlander got the start for the Tigers and was forced out with a cramp in his right triceps. It was his fifth start of the spring. The cramp latched on for good when he threw his warm-up pitches in the third inning. He threw 2.2 innings and allowed one run on just one hit. It was a pretty productive outcome for the Tigers number two starting pitcher, until the injury came upon him. Verlander threw 40 pitches and will not be expected to get an MRI.
Kyle Ryan pitched 1.1 innings after Verlander was forced out. He gave up a homer. Bruce Rondon allowed two runs on three hits and a walk. That was the first time Rondon had spring trouble on the mound.
Offensively, the Tigers could not get much doing. Andrew Romine went 2-for-2. Tyler Collins and James McCann, who are both attempting to make the Tigers Opening Day squad, went 0-for-2.
The Tigers will play on Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals in Lakeland, Florida. Lance Lynn will get the start for St. Louis. He is 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA this spring. As for the Tigers, they will send Shane Greene to the hill. He has a 1-1 record with a 5.19 ERA.