They underwent a variety of fielding drills -- covering first on grounders hit to the right side of the infield and fielding grounders hit back to the mound among them -- for about 90 minutes before running sprints and having pitchers throw off the mound to catchers.

"We make sure it's crisp and that it's fun," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "They've been covering first (base) for 100 years, but I believe in repetition. I just don't want them going through the motions."

Leyland, who takes part in the drills as an instructor, recalled how failing to execute the simplest of fielding plays can cost a team in big ways. Detroit had a pitcher fielding error in each game of the 2006 World Series, won by the St. Louis Cardinals in five games.

Galarraga in starting rotation

Armando Galarraga was 13-7 with a 3.73 ERA as a rookie, leading the staff in wins after being called up two weeks into the season.

This spring, he has a spot in the starting rotation.

"I'm feeling the same," Galarraga said. "Like a rookie."

Is that to keep the proper hunger for success?

"Yeah," he said. "That is the key, always."

Galarraga, 27, came to the Tigers from the Texas Rangers for minor league outfielder Michael Hernandez, who was out of the Rangers' farm system before the season was over. Galarraga tied for fourth with Kansas City Royals shortstop Mike Aviles in American League Rookie of the Year voting.