Tigers invite 18 for spring training

Detroit — Infielders JaCoby Jones and Dominic Ficociello and outfielder Mike Gerber, three Tigers prospects who helped Scottsdale win the Arizona Fall League championship, are among 18 non-roster players invited to the team’s major league camp next month.

Jones, acquired by the Tigers from the Pirates for Joakim Soria last July, is still under suspension for a second violation of the minor league drug policy (not performance enhancing). He is allowed to participate in spring training but still has 38 games of the 50-game suspension to serve.

Ficociello and Jones both finished last season at Double A Erie. Gerber, who hit .280 with a .811 OPS in Arizona, helped West Michigan win the low-A Midwest League championship last season.

Other top prospects invited to camp are pitchers Rafael Dolis, Joe Jimenez and Kevin Ziomek, catchers Austin Green and Kade Scivicque and outfielder Jason Krizan.

The veteran players invited are:

• Outfielders John Mayberry, Jr., 32, who has played seven major league seasons, and hit .164 last year with the Mets; and Nate Schierholz, who turns 32 in February. He's played eight major league seasons, and played in Japan last year.

• Catchers Miguel Gonzalez, 25, a former White Sox prospect; and Raffy Lopez, 28, formerly with the Cubs.

• Utility infielder Tommy Field, 28, who played parts of four seasons, last with Texas.

• Pitchers Logan Kensing, 33, who played eight years in the majors, including last year with Seattle; Lendy Castillo, 27, who last pitched in the big leagues in 2012; Preston Guilmet, 28, who has three seasons in the big leagues, including last year with Tampa and Milwaukee; and Drake Britton, 26, who spent parts of 2013 and 2014 with the Red Sox.

Pitchers and catchers will report to Lakeland on Feb. 18 with the first workout set for Feb. 19. Full squad workouts begin Feb. 23.

chris.mccosky@detroitnews.com

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