Ausmus dons gear for Greene's side session

KANSAS CITY -- Brad Ausmus wanted to take a different look at Shane Greene after the right-hander's struggles over his last couple of starts. So the Tigers manager took a look at him from the angle he knew well for 17 Major League seasons.

And for just the second time since he became a manager, Ausmus became a catcher again, donning the mask and mitt to catch Greene's side session on Friday.

"I wanted to get a view of his pitches from a perspective that I know," Ausmus said. "He looked good."

The other time Ausmus caught a pitcher's session was last year, when Justin Verlander was working through some issues. After 17 years catching in the big leagues, Ausmus doesn't forget the work easily, even after turning 46 years old a couple weeks ago.

It was a little unexpected for Greene, who gave up one earned run over his first three starts before allowing 15 runs over his last two outings. Once he focused in, though, Greene said it made a little difference.

"I just see a glove," he said.

Greene did not see pads, in part because Ausmus didn't put them on. He wasn't going that far. Still, the look was enough that his pitchers -- other than Greene, at least, got a kick out of it. David Price took a short video clip and posted it from his phone.

Everyone congratulate our newest tiger!! First player/manager to activate himself since Roger Dorn #stillliftslegs http://t.co/CDonowczSI

- David Price (@DAVIDprice14) May 1, 2015

Asked if he still likes catching, Ausmus said, "Yeah, I mean, I enjoy it. I don't want to catch bullpens every day, but I'll do it once a year."