Now that Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya are both on the team, the Tigers have nine pitchers decided, three left to go, and more than a half-dozen guys left in camp to consider. It’ll be an interesting final stretch if only because putting the two youngsters on the squad leaves some semi-experienced guys fighting for jobs.

At least one of the two rotation runners-up, Jason Grilli and Roman Colon, will probably make the staff as a long reliever. Grilli is out of options, while Colon still has one. Considering Colon has been a seventh-inning guy before, though, both could make it. If that happened, the Tigers would have Chris Spurling, Franklyn German, the two lefties (Hector Mercado and Bobby Seay) and Mark Woodyard fighting for one spot.

German is out of options, too, but that probably wouldn’t be enough reason to keep him if he doesn’t warrant a spot. Spurling struggled early but has settled down since, and he’s coming off a solid second half last year. Leyland said Friday morning he’d like to have a second lefty reliever, but he won’t keep one just for the sake of keeping one. We’ll see where this goes.

It’s official. Jim Leyland named Verlander the fifth starter and Zumaya as one of his relievers. Verlander will start the first Saturday of the season at Texas. Zumaya, meanwhile, could end up in a major role for the Tigers, though not as a setup man or closer.

"Not only is Zumaya going to pitch on the team," Leyland said, "I think he’s going to pitch in some huge situations."

As for Jason Grilli and Roman Colon, the other two contestants in the fifth starter race, Leyland said they’re both in the running for the remaining three spots in the bullpen. Grilli starts today against the Astros. Colon is slated to pitch tomorrow.