Detroit — This little anecdote from the recently completed Dominican Winter League finals will warm the heart of manager AJ Hinch.
The championship game was Monday. Tigers left-hander Gregory Soto, pitching for Aguilas Cibaenas, already had pitched three scoreless innings in the playoffs. But before the final game, he approached Aguilas manager Felix Fermin.
“Our bullpen was gassed,” Soto said in a Zoom call Thursday through Tigers interpreter Carlos Guillen. “But I was in good condition to throw. I just talked to the manager and told him, ‘If you need me to go more than one inning, I’ll be there for you.