2020 Detroit Tigers season
The 2020 Detroit Tigers season is the team's 120th season. This is the team's third year under manager Ron Gardenhire, and their 21st at Comerica Park. The start of season was delayed by four months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tigers' season began on the road on July 24 against the Cincinnati Reds, while their home opener took place on July 27 against the Kansas City Royals.
The Tigers franchise experienced a major loss on April 6 when Hall of Famer Al Kaline died at the age of 85. Nicknamed "Mr. Tiger", Kaline had been affiliated with the team for 67 years in various roles: first as a player, then as a broadcaster, and most recently, as an executive. The Tigers are wearing a #6 patch to honor him.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
On March 12, 2020, MLB announced that because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks in addition to the remainder of spring training being cancelled. Four days later, it was announced that the start of the season would be pushed back indefinitely due to the recommendation made by the CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people for eight weeks.On June 23, commissioner Rob Manfred unilaterally implemented a 60-game season. Players reported to training camps at their regular season home stadiums on July 1 in order to resume spring training, which included only inter-squad games, and prepare for a July 23 or 24 Opening Day. In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, teams will only play their own division and the opposite league's corresponding geographical division, e.g. the Tigers will only play the American League Central and National League Central. Games will be played in empty stadiums, with artificial crowd noise played over loud speakers. Additionally, Fox Sports will virtually add CGI fans to the empty seats for its Saturday baseball games.
On June 24, two members of the Tigers organization tested positive for COVID-19. Norris was later cleared to join the Opening Day roster.
Roster moves
Coaching staff
- On September 30, the Tigers named Lloyd McClendon as bench coach, Joe Vavra as hitting coach, Dave Clark as first-base coach, and Ramón Santiago as third-base coach.
- On November 12, Josh Paul was named quality control coach.
Releases
- On October 24, the Tigers outrighted catcher John Hicks and pitchers Victor Alcántara, Blaine Hardy, and Daniel Stumpf. All four players cleared waivers and elected free agency. On November 26, Hardy signed a minor-league contract with the Minnesota Twins. On January 27, Hicks signed a minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- On November 4, the Tigers granted outfielder Mikie Mahtook free agency. On December 18, he signed a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
- On November 25, the Tigers released pitcher Drew VerHagen. He signed a one-year contract with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball.
- On December 9, infielder Ronny Rodríguez was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.
- On December 11, pitcher Eduardo Jiménez signed a minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- On December 26, pitcher Matt Moore signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball.
- On January 11, pitcher Ryan Carpenter signed with the Rakuten Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.
- On January 13, pitcher Tyson Ross signed a minor-league contract with the San Francisco Giants.
- On January 27, pitcher Austin Adams signed a minor-league contract with the Minnesota Twins.
- On February 2, pitcher Edwin Jackson signed a minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- On February 10, infielder Gordon Beckham signed a minor-league contract with the San Diego Padres.
- On July 13, the Tigers released pitcher Zack Godley.
- On July 21, the Tigers released pitcher Hector Santiago.
Signings
- On December 8, the Tigers signed outfielder Jorge Bonifacio to a minor-league contract, with an invitation to spring training.
- On December 12, the Tigers claimed pitcher Rony García from the New York Yankees organization in the Rule 5 draft.
- On December 13, the Tigers signed catcher Austin Romine to a one-year, $4.15 million contract.
- On December 18, the Tigers signed pitcher Shao-Ching Chiang to a minor-league contract.
- On December 20, the Tigers signed pitcher Zack Godley to a minor-league contract.
- On December 21, the Tigers signed first baseman C. J. Cron and second baseman Jonathan Schoop to one-year, $6.1 million contracts.
- On January 4, the Tigers signed pitcher Alex Wilson to a minor-league contract, with an invitation to spring training.
- On January 6, the Tigers signed pitcher Michael Fulmer to a one-year, $2.8 million contract, avoiding arbitration.
- On January 10, the Tigers avoided arbitration when they reached one-year deals with pitchers Matthew Boyd, Buck Farmer and Daniel Norris, and outfielder JaCoby Jones.
- On January 13, the Tigers signed pitcher Iván Nova to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
- On January 22, the Tigers signed pitcher Hector Santiago to a minor-league contract, with an invitation to spring training.
- On January 30, the Tigers signed shortstop Jordy Mercer to a minor-league contract, with an invitation to spring training.
- On February 12, the Tigers signed outfielder Cameron Maybin to a one-year, $1.5 million contract which could increase to $2.8 million with bonuses.
Trades
- On November 25, the Tigers acquired pitcher Darío Agrazal from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations. He was designated for assignment by the Tigers on January 8.
- On January 8, the Tigers acquired catcher Eric Haase from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for cash considerations.
- On January 17, the Tigers traded pitcher Matt Hall to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for catcher Jhon Nunez.
Number retirement
- The Tigers will retire Lou Whitaker's #1 on August 29. Whitaker played for the Tigers for his entire 19-year career, won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1978, was a member of the 1984 World Series Champion team, a five-time All Star, and winner of four Silver Slugger Awards and three Golden Gloves.
Season standings