LAKELAND, Fla. – Wily Peralta walked into the Tigers’ clubhouse at Joker Marchan Stadium and took a few moments to get his bearings. Although he re-signed with Detroit for this season following getting his career back on track last year, he’s not used to being in training.
Peralta missed the entire 2021 camp due to visa issues following signing in mid-February. He also wasn’t in spring training in 2020. In fact, he hadn’t been in spring training since 2019, his last season with the Royals.
“I haven’t been in a real Spring Training for a couple of years,” Peralta said following completing his medical exams Monday morning. “I’m very happy”.
Peralta was basically guaranteed to be late for camp this year following the new labor agreement was signed. Although he signed a minor league contract with the Tigers just following the market reopened, he had to wait for his visa to be processed.
In the meantime, he stayed in the Dominican Republic to prepare, where he pitched to batters in a stadium near his home. He also followed his own exercise routines and even held fielding practice sessions for pitchers.
“I did it because I know the situation I’m in. If I came in and started fielding practice at once, I was probably going to get hurt. So, I practiced fielding on my side and tried to mix that with normal Spring Training stuff.”
Peralta doesn’t think he’ll need much time to get in shape to pitch games, but the Tigers will still be careful with the 32-year veteran. The right-hander had a bullpen session Monday and will stay in Lakeland when the team travels to start the season.
