Tigers' first spring workout dates announced

DETROIT -- As the cold, snowy crust of winter settles in around Michigan, there's a date for the first signs of spring, way down in Florida.
The first Spring Training workout for Tigers pitchers and catchers is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 19, at the Tigertown complex and Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. Full-squad workouts are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Feb. 23, ramping up the Tigers' 80th season in Lakeland -- the longest-running relationship for a Major League team with a Spring Training locale.
Official reporting dates are Feb. 18 for pitchers and catchers and Feb. 22 for the full squad. In many cases, though, the reporting date is ceremonial, since many players nowadays show up several days in advance and work out on their own or in smaller groups with teammates.
The Tigers will open their Spring Training schedule with their annual exhibition against Florida Southern College on Feb. 29. Grapefruit League play begins March 1 against the Pirates at Joker Marchant Stadium.
The Tigers' stay in Florida will be longer than usual thanks to Opening Day in Miami. The Tigers and Marlins open the regular season on Tuesday, April 5, part of a two-game set at Marlins Park. The Tigers' home opener at Comerica Park takes place against the Yankees on Friday, April 8.
As in recent years, tickets for Tigers home Spring Training games will be priced at three different levels depending on the opponent and date. Individual-game tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. ET. Full-season Spring Training ticket packages are on sale now at tigers.com.
Spring Training trips are also available through Detroit Tigers Vacations at tigers.com/vacations.