Worth noting

• While Leyland said they'll stretch out two or three extra pitchers in camp this spring to prepare as insurance starters in case of injury, he added that he had been optimistic that ex-Tiger Jeremy Bonderman was going to be in their camp on a Minor League deal. "We thought we had Bonderman," Leyland said. Bonderman talked with the Tigers before signing a Minor League contract with the Mariners, opting to stay close to home with a team that had an opening in the rotation.

• Sunday's Tigers-Phillies matchup at Joker Marchant Stadium is on track to pit Verlander against Roy Halladay in a matchup of former Cy Young Award winners.

• Former Tigers closer Jose Valverde, still on the free-agent market, will reportedly pitch for his native Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.