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Anthony Gose decided to try pitching at the end of spring training.

(Mike Mulholland, MLive)

DETROIT -- Anthony Gose will face real batters for the first time today in Lakeland, Fla., the latest step in his attempt to go from a speedy outfielder to a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher.

Gose began extended spring training by throwing simple, fastball-only bullpen sessions. More recently, he's brushed off his high school curveball and added it to the mix.

"The report on the curveball is very good," Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.

Gose was able to throw fastballs in the upper 90s in high school, but decided to enter pro ball as a hitter. He hasn't given up on being an outfielder yet, and Ausmus said he's still getting at-bats as a designated hitter in Lakeland.

"I think he figured it was something he should explore, because if he continued to play outfield and five years from now it didn't work out, he would have been kicking himself for not at least exploring pitching," Ausmus said. "He's still young enough that he can still play and develop as a hitter."