Tigers, Yankees set to spring into ballgames

Competitive baseball returns to the Major League calendar on Tuesday afternoon, as the Yankees and Tigers get their Spring Training slates underway with games against college opponents.

That's right: For the next 139 days, there will be some form of big league baseball on the schedule, a sure sign spring has arrived.

The Yankees host the Florida State Seminoles, who feature Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Jameis Winston, while the Tigers welcome Florida Southern to Joker Marchant Stadium. Both games begin at 1:05 p.m. ET.

The prospect of facing Winston, an outfielder and relief pitcher, has created a bit of a buzz in the Yankees' clubhouse, specifically for manager Joe Girardi, who is anxious to see what the national champion quarterback has to offer.

"It'll be fun," Girardi said. "Obviously, he's extremely athletic. When you watch him play the game of football, he's got a great arm."

For the Yankees, left-hander Vidal Nuno gets the start at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Nuno has an outside shot at earning the fifth spot in the club's starting rotation.

Girardi indicated he will likely use five or six pitchers in each of his team's first few games.

The Tigers also haven't announced their entire slate of pitchers, but Tuesday's contest will offer the first glimpse of Robbie Ray in a Detroit uniform. Ray came to the Tigers as part of a package of players in exchange for veteran right-hander Doug Fister, who went to the Nationals.

Ray will follow 23-year-old righty Drew VerHagen, who gets the start. The Tigers have traditionally given the ball to their prospects to open the Spring Training slate, and VerHagen is ranked No. 11 in the organization, according to MLB.com.