Detroit Tigers General Manager spoke briefly with Tony Paul of the DetroitNews on the subject of switch-hitting star Victor Martinez.  All signs are encouraging for the four-time All-Star designated hitter.

 "You can tell he's in tremendous shape," Dombrowski said. "He's ready to go."


Dombrowski added that the Tigers have no plans to play Martinez at catcher again.  If he plays the field, it only will be at first base. Dombrowski said Martinez's leg strength "is back to normal," he has been running bases for a couple of weeks, and he has been swinging a bat for about six weeks.

Martinez missed all of 2012 with torn ACL in his left leg.  The imminent birth of his child is hopefully all that will disrupt the Venezuelan native's spring. The Tigers will be a "little careful" with Martinez in spring training, Dombrowski said.

The best news for Tiger fans is that he will be ready and unrestricted come Opening Day.  A lineup featuring Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, and Prince Fielder promises to be a challenge for even the elite AL hurlers.