We’re just under a week away from the first game of the spring for the Tigers, so here the latest from the team along with some news from around the league.

Tigers News

• Right-hander Chad Smith, who was recently designated for assignment when the Tigers signed Joba was claimed today by the Oakland Athletics
• Miguel Cabrera shows progress and could take ground balls this weekend
• Alfredo Simon showed some nasty stuff in his bullpen sessions
• Ausmus thinks 2014 was an aberration for Joe Nathan

Around the League

• The return of New York phenom Matt Harvey from Tommy John surgery is scheduled for March 6th, against the Tigers
• ESPN has pegged the meeting of MLB and Josh Hamilton as a relapse issue with drugs and alcohol in the offseason

Oh and don’t forget to check out our Top 100 MLB Prospects for 2015