Anthony Fenech

Detroit Free Press

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The two top competitors for the Detroit Tigers’ fifth rotation spot were talking before today's game.

Daniel Norris was starting against the Atlanta Braves. Shane Greene was coming in for relief.

“I was just saying that it’s almost like you wish you didn’t know if you were going to pitch or not, so you could sit there, and then they call your name, and you get up and go,” he said. “But if you know you’re going to be up next or whatever, I feel like I need to get up and move around.”

Greene was antsy, he said. Norris was anxious, he said.

Both showed symptoms of those similar feelings in their spring debuts – Greene overthrew a couple of fastballs and Norris bounced a couple of curveballs – but both turned in solid performances in the Tigers’ 8-2 win over the Braves at Champion Stadium.

The starter, Norris, allowed a run on a hit in two innings. Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run. He struck out one and walked one.

“I felt pretty alright,” Norris said. “Just work on command and making my stuff better, more competitive pitches.”

The reliever, Greene, allowed no runs on a hit in two innings. He struck out two and walked none.

“I just wanted to compete,” Greene said. “I haven’t been able to do that in a while and it feels good to go out there and be able to pitch again.”

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said both did what they needed to in their first spring starts.

“I didn’t sense any anxiety but I could tell, I think they wanted to both get off to an extremely strong start,” he said. “The realistic view is ‘Hey, this is just the first outing. No decision is made based on this outing.’”

Injury report: After successfully throwing from 120 feet with no soreness today, right-hander Anibal Sanchez will get back on the mound for a bullpen session Friday, Ausmus said.

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.

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