Were the Philadelphia Phillies showcasing Ryan Hanigan this week by starting him in a pair of Grapefruit League games against the Detroit Tigers?
Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com suggests it may have been more than a coincidence that Hanigan, who is in camp on a minor league contract, started Sunday and Tuesday against the Tigers, who are believed to be shopping for catching depth.
The 36-year-old Hanigan is not assured of a roster spot on the Phillies, who also signed Bryan Holaday over the winter as a possible backup behind starter Cameron Rupp.
A 10-year veteran with excellent pitch framing skills, Hanigan has spent the past two seasons in Boston and is a career .250 hitter with a .345 OBP.
At this stage of spring training, the Tigers are expected to split the catching duties between James McCann and Alex Avila.
Meanwhile, the Tigers may also be seeking additional center-field options, tweets Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press. The Tigers are considering Mikie Mahtook, Tyler Collins and JaCoby Jones at the position after trading away Cameron Maybin to the Los Angeles Angels.
- Doug Mittler
