Tigers Set To Play Ball: MLB Lockout Ends

DETROIT, MI — There will be baseball — and for Detroit fans, it will start with a Tigers vs. Phillies spring training game. More than a week after MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association failed to come to an agreement, a deal was reached Thursday, ending the lockout and ensuring a full season of major league ball will happen.

Detroit's first spring training game is against Philadelphia on March 18.

While two weeks' worth of regular-season games were canceled, the Tigers will kick off the regular season with a four-game series in Kansas City on April 14.

For their home opener, they'll take on the Yankees on April 19.

The players union's executive board approved a labor agreement with MLB in a 26-12 vote, pending ratification by players, the Associated Press reported.

The Tigers enter the season with high expectations after singing free agents Javier Baez and left-handed starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez to huge contracts. They also traded for two-time Gold Glove winning catcher Tucker Barnhart, a veteran to help manage the Tigers young starting pitching core.