Zimmermann undergoes injections in neck

While the Tigers discussed payroll and routes to shrinking it (eventually), the man with one of the biggest contracts on that payroll continued his path to try to return next season. Jordan Zimmermann saw a specialist for the neck issues that hampered him for most of the season, GM Al Avila said.

“He’s gotten injections in certain parts of his neck that block those areas where he had pain,” Avila said. “So based on that and what he’s doing now as far as his rehab with physical therapy, he reports no pain and being able to do everything as he used to. So he’s feeling really good now, and so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that carries into Spring Training and into the season and that fixes everything.”

Zimmermann has one more set of injections scheduled, Avila said.

The 30-year-old right-hander signed a five-year, $110 million deal as a free agent last offseason, essentially filling the front-line void alongside Justin Verlander that David Price and Max Scherzer previously occupied. Zimmermann looked up to the task for the first month of the season before injuries limited him to just nine starts and a relief appearance (and an 8.06 ERA) over the final four months. Though Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd formed a formidable young trio behind Verlander down the stretch, a healthy Zimmermann could complete the rotation, assuming Verlander doesn’t get traded.