Tigers' Spring Training facility spared from hurricane damage

DETROIT -- While the Tigers’ magical 2024 season rolls on, they’re keeping an eye on the Spring Training complex and support staff in Lakeland, Fla., one of the areas hit hard by Hurricane Milton Wednesday night. While the team is still checking on staff members, Joker Marchant Stadium and the Tigertown complex appear to have been spared major damage.

“The facility’s fine,” manager A.J. Hinch said prior to Game 4 of the AL Division Series. “[The center of the storm] going a little further south probably helped.”

Several Tigers players make their offseason homes in Florida. Right-hander Alex Faedo, a Tampa native and resident, is down there now, but was staying with family members in central Florida when the storm hit. Casey Mize, currently with the team as part of the taxi squad for this series, has a home in St. Petersburg, not far from Tropicana Field.

“It's definitely scary,” said Riley Greene, an Oviedo, Fla., native who bought a home last year. “Back-to-back hurricanes is never fun. Prayers out to the people on the coast.”