DETROIT (AP) — For a decade, opening day for the Detroit Tigers belonged almost exclusively to Justin Verlander.Times have changed.Verlander is with Houston now, and Detroit is set to start Jordan Zimmermann in Thursday's opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It's a nice honor for Zimmermann, who has battled injuries and ineffectiveness during two seasons with the Tigers."I worked extremely hard this offseason to get to this point and to stay healthy all spring. I feel like I did everything I could to get to this point," Zimmermann said. "To get this opportunity to come out here on opening day and pitch in front of these fans means a lot."Verlander started every opener for Detroit from 2008-14 and again from 2016-17. Then the Tigers traded him to the Astros toward the end of last season as Detroit committed to rebuilding. The Tigers finished tied for the worst record in baseball in 2017, and it's hard to say when this franchise will contend again for a postseason spot.Ron Gardenhire was... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Catcher James McCann and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a $2,375,000, one-year contract that avoided arbitration.The 27-year-old hit .253 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs last season and made $552,100. He was eligible for arbitration for the first time.Four Tigers are still eligible for arbitration: third baseman Nicholas Castellanos, shortstop Jose Iglesias and right-handers Shane Greene and Alex Wilson.Detroit also announced Thursday it claimed 25-year-old right-hander Johnny Barbato off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Barbato went 0-1 with a 4.08 ERA last season in 24 relief appearances.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

RHP Johnny Barbato was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday. He made 18 relief appearances earlier this season for the Pirates, posting an 0-1 record and 4.74 ERA. At Triple-A, he was 0-1 with a 3.06 ERA in 26 games.

RHP Johnny Barbato (0-1) was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday. He owned a 4.74 ERA in 18 relief appearances and had no starts. He had been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis last Tuesday and pitched a scoreless eighth last Friday in Cincinnati.

RHP Johnny Barbato was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. Barbato took the loss in Tuesday's 8-5 setback to the Dodgers, allowing a run and two hits in the sixth inning.

RHP Johnny Barbato was recalled by the Pirates from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday. Acquired by Pittsburgh from the Yankees earlier this month in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations, Barbato was 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA in three games (one start) in Triple-A this season.

RHP Johnny Barbato was acquired from the New York Yankees in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations. Barbato, 24, was added to Pittsburgh's 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. He made one appearance for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season before being designated for assignment by the Yankees on April 12.

Kansas City Royals designated hitter Kendrys Morales drew a one-game suspension and undisclosed fine for his actions during Tuesday's game, Major League Baseball announced Thursday.Morales returned to the field after he was ejected during the ninth inning of the contest between the Royals and Tampa Bay Rays.Morales appealed the suspension and was eligible to play in Thursday's game against Tampa Bay. The Royals listed him in the starting lineup.Morales is hitting .242 with 17 homers and 50 RBIs this season.--The Pittsburgh Pirates recalled veteran right-hander Ryan Vogelsong from his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis to start Thursday's game versus the Atlanta Braves. Infielder Max Moroff was optioned to Indianapolis to open a roster spot for Vogelsong, who is returning to the mound after getting hit in the face by a fastball that caused multiple facial fractures and required surgery. He last pitched on May 23.--The Texas Rangers activated veteran outfielder Shin-Soo... [More]

The New York Yankees recalled Johnny Barbato from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday and optioned fellow right-hander Chad Green to the Triple-A club.Barbato posted a 1-2 mark with a 5.54 ERA in 12 appearances with the Yankees earlier this season. The 24-year-old also went 1-2 with a 3.44 ERA in 23 games -- one start -- with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season.Green struggled mightily in his start versus the New York Mets on Wednesday, allowing three runs on eight hits with four walks in 3 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old received a no-decision in that contest and owns a 1-2 mark with a 4.94 ERA in eight appearances this season with the Yankees.