Detroit Tigers reliever Buck Farmer has already earned a nickname from manager AJ Hinch.
Hinch, announced Oct. 30 as the team's manager, informed Farmer of significant changes coming to the bullpen in 2021. The 46-year-old manager is throwing out concrete labels and defined roles, meaning Farmer isn't his set-up man, as some would have expected.
As for the nickname? Elder statesman.
"I've never felt like a veteran before," Farmer said in response, laughing. "But I guess I have to."
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Farmer, who's spent parts of seven seasons in the majors, most recently worked as the eighth-inning pitcher, giving way to closer Bryan Garcia for the ninth.