Tigers Summer Camp near the finish line: 5 takeout, Friday cash score

DETROIT – The most important conclusion Friday night was who didn’t play: scheduled starter Jordan Zimmermann, who resisted hard on the forearm.

But Tyler Alexander, his potential replacement, went through a difficult inning and rescued an encouraging start to what could have been really bad.

Alexander is on top of our takeaway dishes. Scroll down to see the box score for Friday’s six-inning game.

1. Struggling through it.

It all went wrong for Alexander in a first inning in which he allowed three runs with five hits (four singles and one double) and one walk.

But after being rescued from the first when he reached his pitch limit (a courtesy that won’t extend to him in the regular season), he retired nine of the next 10 hitters he faced, striking out four of them.

2. He was not the only one.

Relief John Schreiber had an even worse inning and looked as if he had finished after being hit by four doubles and a home run in the third.

But the Tigers gave him a chance to pitch another inning and end on a high note. He retired the 1-2-3 side in the fourth, striking out two.

3. Velo’s concerns.

It may be a slow weapon, but some Tigers’ throwers are within one or two ticks of their normal speed.

Some may not be completely built. Others may be a little tired after three weeks in the sun.

And others, such as prospect Franklin Pérez, return from injury. His fastball ranged from 89 to 92 mph on Friday.

“I hope his speed increases a bit more, in the mid-1990s,” Gardenhire said.

Pérez has struck out just one hitter in five innings of work in three intra-squad games this summer.

4. Crushing Cron.

Tigers first baseman CJ Cron hit his fourth homer of the in-school season on Friday, crushing a ball in the second section of seats in left field against Schreiber.

Cron would have five home runs if Riley Greene hadn’t robbed him five days ago.

5. Injury updates.

The Tigers had three outfielders on Friday, so Harold Castro played in center field for the first time in the summer season.

JaCoby Jones (oblique) could have returned, but is being held as a precaution, Gardenhire said. She hasn’t played since leaving a game on July 13. Travis Demeritte (groin / calf) last played on July 9. It’s at “80 percent,” according to Gardenhire. Derek Hill, who left Thursday’s game with a balky knee, is still bruised and in pain.

The Tigers will back off on Saturday. In lieu of an intra-squad, veterans may conduct voluntary batting practice if they so choose, and young players will participate in live batting practice or simulated play.

The last squad will probably be on Sunday with a brief training on Monday. The Tigers will then travel to Cincinnati to exhibit on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They will have a day off on Thursday before opening the season on Friday night at the Great American Ballpark.

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