JV, Cole, Rodgers face live hitters at camp

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The first live bullpen sessions of the spring typically draw a crowd, and that certainly was the case when Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Brady Rodgers faced hitters for the first time Sunday afternoon on the back fields at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

Verlander, pitching without the security of a screen in front of him, went first and threw 28 pitches to three hitters: catcher Garrett Stubbs, who's in big league camp, and Minor League catchers Scott Manea and Stephen Wrenn.

"It's a good opportunity to see where you're at and check your stamina," Verlander said. "That's what it's all about at this point."

Verlander and Cole threw a "heavy" bullpen session the day…