Detroit — Seemingly one of the Tigers more set position groups heading into spring training was the starting rotation.
Michael Fulmer, Jordan Zimmermann, Mike Fiers, Matthew Boyd and Daniel Norris seemed, at the very least, penciled in, barring injury or subsequent ineptitude.
Buck Farmer, Ryan Carpenter and Chad Bell were expected to battle with Norris for the final spot — only because Norris, injury-plagued and erratic the last couple of years, remains a question mark and still has a minor-league option left.
Essentially, that fifth spot was Norris’ to lose.
Now, though, there is a new contestant, and the battle has intensified.