Quick hits

• Joba Chamberlain will open the season with the beard he spent Spring Training growing. A Twitter poll from MLB Network's Intentional Talk program found the beard winning 36 percent of the vote, compared with 28 percent for a moustache, 19 percent for a goatee and 17 percent for a clean-shaven look. That's fine for Chamberlain, who has been growing the beard since he signed with the Tigers in December and has trimmed it just a few times since.

• Sunday was the Tigers' first chance to work out on the newly resodded field at Comerica Park, where the grass was laid down about 10 days ago. Jackson said he wanted to test out the outfield to get an idea of the footing.

"You definitely want to get your feet on it a little bit and see," Jackson said. "When you put cleats on, you want to see how it is. You have to get a good feel for it."

• Anibal Sanchez and Rick Porcello threw opposite each other in a simulated game at Comerica Park during Sunday's workout. Both are on track to start later this week, with Sanchez starting Thursday's series finale against the Royals before Porcello greets the Orioles on Friday.