Jim Leyland has decided to move Lloyd McClendon in to the hitting coach vacancy that was created when Don Slaught resigned. McClendon of course served as bullpen coach last year and spent 4 years as the Pirates hitting coach.
Jeff Jones will be promoted from Toledo to assume the role of bullpen coach. Jones had considerable success working with Wil Ledezma and Zach Miner last year. This will be his 5th stint as Tigers bullpen coach.
Britt Burns will be promoted from A Lakeland to take Jones spot in Toledo and former Tiger Joe Coleman will assume pitching coach duties in Lakeland.
The Tigers released their 2007 schedule today. They open on April 2nd against the Blue Jays and close the season on the road against Chicago.
Things of note include:
After opening with 3 at home against the Blue Jays, the Tigers head on the road for 10 games against KC, Baltimore, and Toronto.
The Tigers have a 13 game homestand leading up to the All Star break
There is only 1 off day between August 3rd and September 10th
September looks to be tough with 6 against the White Sox, 6 against the Twins, 3 against the A’s, and 3 against the Indians. Nine of the last fifteen games are on the road.
Interleague opponents are the Cardinals, Mets and Brewers at home. The Tigers go to Philadelphia, Washington, and Atlanta.