LAKELAND, Fla. — Phil Nevin started 463 games at third base during his 12-year major league career, so while infield coach Carlos Mendoza has been charged with helping Miguel Andujar improve his defense at third, Nevin watches the 24-year-old closely, as well.
That’s what Nevin was doing in the bottom of the third against the Tigers on Sunday with Detroit’s Jordy Mercer at the plate against Danny Coulombe.
“I was keeping my eye on him at that moment,’’ said Nevin, who was managing the split squad to a 2-2 tie against the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium while Aaron Boone was back in Tampa with the other squad.