SEATTLE — Everyone, even those who are injured and won’t play in the four-game series against the Mariners, made the trip west for the Detroit Tigers.
Injured players like right-handed reliever Alex Wilson, who aren't going to return in the span of a road trip, may not travel with the club in the future. Not if Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire has his way.
Gardenhire suggested in Detroit that some players might not make the trip to Seattle, but said Thursday the team policy is for everyone to travel because they can get the best treatment from team medical staff that are on the road.
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When he managed the Minnesota Twins, Gardenhire said players with no chance of playing on a road trip stayed behind and received treatment at home.
Gardenhire hasn’t yet spoken to general manager Al Avila about changing the current team policy, but did have a conversation on the flight with John Westhoff, vice president, assistant general manager & general counsel, about it.
“We always felt they’re not as rushed as when they’re back home, by themselves,” Gardenhire said. “They get a little more anxiety when they’re home. They want to get better quickly. So that’s kind of one of the feelings. We thought they hated being away from the team. They didn’t get their meal money. No, they really did. But, stuff like that. We just thought, ‘Make them miserable. Send them to Florida in the heat.’ We did that to Jim Thome and he was back in a week.”
Gardenhire said Westhoff said they could consider changing the policy in the future.
“I might have started something I might not like,” Gardenhire said. “I just didn’t expect to have all these guys here.”
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Injury updates
Center fielder Leonys Martin, who on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain, could return as early as Friday for the Tigers. Outfielder JaCoby Jones, who left Wednesday’s game with a left hip contusion, returned to the lineup Thursday.
Gardenhire said Jones went through a running program and batting practice without any lingering issues.
“Leonys went out and he banged it around and ran around,” Gardenhire said. “He’s getting pretty antsy himself. He thinks he’s ready right now. We still haven’t seen him run the bases. We’re going to put him on the bases (Friday) and do some running around the bases. See if he can explode.”
Gardenhire said the biggest issue for Martin is the initial burst when he goes to run.
“We want to him do that before we activate him,” Gardenhire said. “If he wants to glide – we don’t want to take a chance with it. But he’s pretty adamant that he’s really ready to go.”
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As for other injured players, there wasn’t much more to update.
Jeimer Candelario, who is on the disabled list with left wrist tendinitis, took grounders at third during early batting practice on Thursday at Safeco Field.
There’s nothing new with Miguel Cabrera, who has been on the disabled list since May 4 for a right hamstring strain.
Gardenhire said he didn't get an update yet on how right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann felt after throwing Thursday. Zimmermann is on the disabled list with a shoulder impingement.
Martin upset
Martin didn't want to talk about former teammate Robinson Canó's 80-game suspension on Tuesday in Detroit. But Martin did on Thursday in Seattle and explained what upset him the other day.
Martin said he was initially upset that other Major League Players were talking badly about Canó in light of the suspension.
Martin said "everybody knows" Canó had surgery in the past to repair a sports hernia in 2015. Martin said he's not making excuses for his former teammate, but doesn't think Canó intentionally took a banned drug.
Robinson tested positive in the off-season for Furosemide, a diuretic. It can be used as a masking agent for performance-enhancing drugs.
"I know Robbie is not that type of guy," Martin said. "He's got no reason."
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Martin cited Canó's 10-year, $240 million contract as enough of a reason not to risk a suspension. Martin also said Canó has a Hall of Fame worthy career.
"The only thing I can say is I know Robbie and I really trust what he say," Martin said.
Martin said he doesn't understand why fellow players would take shots at Canó on social media.
"You see players on social media talking trash about Robinson Canó and they don't even know what happen," Martin said. "That's the thing. I don't get it. That's why I get so mad. Especially players. We're supposed to be one family in this game."
Contact George Sipple: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @georgesipple.