Brad Ausmus.jpg

Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus talks with coach Omar Vizquel during batting practice before a spring game against the Houston Astros in Lakeland, Fla. on March 8.

(AP Photo)

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Ian Krol already had a tough road to travel if he wanted to make the Detroit Tigers' opening day roster. It just got a little rockier.

Krol was set to pitch Wednesday at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla., but was pulled from his scheduled appearance due to tightness in his left forearm.

"The trainer said he was fine, Krol said he was fine, but (Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones) and I just decided to give him the night off," Ausmus said after Detroit's 8-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. "He probably won't be happy about it."

Krol will be re-evaluated Thursday and could be cleared to throw a bullpen later in the day. Assuming Krol is fine, he could make an appearance soon after.

"I think he just had a little knot in there," said Ausmus, who wasn't clear how the minor injury came about. "I really don't know."

Vying for one of the final spots in the bullpen this spring, Krol has posted a 5.40 ERA in five appearances this spring. He gave up one run on one hit and one walk in his latest outing Saturday against the New York Yankees.

Romine, Perez off to strong starts

The experiment seems to be working.

Super-utility players Hernan Perez and Andrew Romine each caught bullpen sessions Wednesday and both players "did excellent," according to Ausmus.

Romine caught right-handed reliever Josh Zeid and Perez caught right-handed starter Tim Melville. They will continue to catch bullpen sessions this spring, and both could be brought into a spring game for an inning later this spring.

"Maybe one of them -- or both of them," Ausmus said Wednesday. "Just so that they can get back there with a hitter and to put them in game action."

Neither Perez or Romine have caught in a Major League game, but the Tigers are in the process of seeking out an emergency catcher. Ausmus confirmed Wednesday that Victor Martinez will likely not be asked to catch at any point this season.

Pankake puns

The Tigers mounted a four-run rally in the ninth inning Wednesday, highlighted by minor leaguer Joey Pankake's two-run, bases-loaded single with no outs.

When asked about Pankake after the game, Ausmus jokingly replied the Tigers' seventh-round pick in 2007 "really waffled the ball."

"He hit the crepe out of it," Ausmus added. "I was hoping he hit a grand slam."

Pankake was among five minor league players who joined the Tigers for their spring game in Bradenton, Fla. He will return to minor league camp Thursday.

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