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With hat-tip to J.D. Martinez, Tigers' Mikie Mahtook ready to stay steady

(Photo: Robin Buckson, Detroit News)

Lakeland, Fla. — It almost sounded like a malaprop when manager Ron Gardenhire said it.

Talking about Tigers outfielder Mikie Mahtook the other day in Dunedin, he said, “He’s out of (minor-league) options, and that can maybe make a guy relax.”

Huh? How does being in a situation where he gets designated for assignment and waived if he doesn't make the team allow a player to relax?

“Now it’s on his shoulders,” Gardenhire said. “He makes the team or, if he doesn’t, I mean, he won’t clear waivers.