The countdown to baseball is officially on in Detroit. Pitchers and catchers report to spring training on February 11, with the full squad set to join them by February 15. That means the Tigers are just weeks away from beginning the process of shaping their 2026 roster, and there’s plenty of intrigue surrounding how this team will come together.
Detroit will play 29 Grapefruit League games leading up to Opening Day on March 26. The spring schedule kicks off on February 21 against the New York Yankees at George M.
Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The next day, fans in Lakeland will get their first look at the team at Joker Marchant Stadium, when the Tigers host the Baltimore Orioles.
Here’s a quick look at the key spring training dates for Detroit:
- Pitchers and Catchers (WBC and Non-WBC): Report on February 11
- Position Players in WBC: Report on February 12
- Remaining Position Players: Report on February 15
- First Spring Game: February 21 vs.
Yankees in Tampa
- Final Spring Game: March 24 vs.
Rockies in Scottsdale
The next few weeks will be about more than just getting reps in the Florida sun. This is where roster battles start to take shape, where prospects can turn heads, and where veterans begin their tune-ups for what promises to be a pivotal season in Detroit’s ongoing rebuild.
Willi Castro Cashes In With Rockies
In other Tigers-related news, a familiar face is heading west. Willi Castro has signed a two-year, $12.8 million deal with the Colorado Rockies, capping off a remarkable turnaround for a player who once looked like a footnote in Detroit’s plans.
Castro, 29, was non-tendered by the Tigers after the 2022 season and quietly signed a minor-league deal with the Minnesota Twins. That low-risk move turned into one of the best values in baseball over the past few years.
In 2023, Castro appeared in 124 games for the Twins, slashing .257/.339/.411 with nine home runs, 33 stolen bases, and a 107 wRC+. He did it while playing all over the field, offering defensive versatility and speed on the bases-two traits that made him a crucial piece of Minnesota’s roster.
He cooled off a bit late in the year, but the total body of work was enough to earn him a multi-year deal and a fresh start in Colorado. For Tigers fans, it’s a bit of a bittersweet moment. Castro never quite found his footing in Detroit, but his success elsewhere is a reminder of how quickly a player’s trajectory can change-and how valuable versatility and athleticism have become in today’s game.
Tigers Go Big in International Market
The Tigers made a major splash on the international stage, locking in a six-player signing class on the first day of the 2026 international signing period. Headlining the group is Venezuelan catcher Manuel Bolivar, who received a $2.3 million signing bonus-the largest in this year’s class for Detroit.
Bolivar, just 17 years old, is already turning heads in scouting circles. He’s ranked No. 12 on Baseball America’s Top 100 international prospects and No. 10 on FanGraphs’ list. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, the right-handed hitter brings a rare combination of size, athleticism, and upside behind the plate.
Detroit didn’t stop there. They also signed:
- Oscar Tineo, a 6-foot-3 switch-hitting shortstop from Venezuela, ranked No. 16 by FanGraphs, for $1.45 million
- Douglas Olivo and Santiago Ventura, a pair of Venezuelan outfielders
- Randy Santana, an outfielder from the Dominican Republic ranked No. 7 by FanGraphs and No. 34 by Baseball America, who received a bonus north of $1 million
- Eduardo Tusen, a Dominican shortstop whose bonus hasn’t been disclosed yet
The Tigers are expected to commit most of their $7.36 million international bonus pool to these signings, continuing a clear strategy under president of baseball operations Scott Harris. Detroit’s front office has made it a priority to target up-the-middle athletes with projection-players who can stick at premium positions and grow into impact contributors.
Three years into this revamped international approach, the Tigers are showing a commitment to building a sustainable talent pipeline. And despite the ongoing logistical challenges of scouting and signing in Venezuela, the club credited its local staff for navigating the process with precision.
As spring training approaches, Detroit’s front office is clearly laying the groundwork for the future-both in Lakeland and across Latin America. Whether it’s the next wave of international talent or former Tigers finding success elsewhere, this is a franchise that’s evolving in real time. The 2026 season is just around the corner, and the Tigers are getting ready to take their next big step.