Tigers' Mike Fiers: Struggling with back stiffness

Fiers has given up 12 runs on 10 hits and eight walks across 11.1 innings this spring and has been struggling in part due to back stiffness, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Although Fiers has been shelled so far through four starts, the Tigers are not going to shut him down anytime soon. He came into camp with a back issue, and it's seemingly caused him problems during his spring training appearances. Detroit is planning on having the vet throw against minor-league hitters for his next start to take some pressure off. Pitching coach Chris Bosio is unsure whether Fiers will be ready for Opening Day, and the club plans on taking it day-by-day with him.