LAKELAND, Fla. -- A few days ago, Jarrod Saltamacchia was in free-agent camp playing an exhibition game against the East Japan Railway Company and wondering what the future held for his career.
If he didn't get a call soon, he was willing to play overseas, perhaps Japan. If that didn't pan out, he would give independent ball a try.
Then Detroit Tigers assistant general manager David Chadd offered him a minor-league deal.
"I said, 'Hey, I'm ready,'" said Saltalamacchia, who arrived Friday morning, took a physical and was already in his uniform before noon.
Saltalamacchia, 32, was the Tigers backup catcher in 2016 and had hoped to return in 2017.