In addition to finding a fifth starting pitcher and picking three more relief pitchers to round out the bullpen, the Tigers need to fill one opening on their  bench this spring.
        Jeff Larish and Ryan Raburn will compete for the honor of being the Tigers’ 25th man.
        Larish can fill in at first base or third and Jim Leyland plans to get him acquainted with left field and right as well this spring. The fact that Larish bats left handed is a huge plus in his favor.
        With Miguel Cabrera, and the entire outfield of Curtis Granderson, Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez gone to the World Baseball Classic, Larish and Raburn will both get ample opportunities.
        “I really like him,” Leyland said of Larish. “I like him a lot. I’m a big fan of his. I don’t know if he’s going to be on this team when we break camp, I don’t know how it’s going to play out. But I do know this: I would not be afraid to have Jeff Larish on my team.”
        Raburn has proven he can do just about anything except play shortstop or pitch. “We’re well aware of his versatility,” Leyland said. “He can play all over. He’s just a wonderful guy to have around. He’s got a lot of pluses. He’s one of those guys who stays under the radar. You don’t notice him that much, but he’s a valuable player.
        Raburn has an edge over Larish in big league experience, 153 games to 42.
        Rookie Casper Wells, who played at West Michigan and Erie last year, is one of the most intriguing players in camp, even though he is, in Leyland’s words, “a long, long, long, long shot to make the team.
        “This is a guy who really came out of nowhere, and he came in leaps and bounds,” Leyland admitted.
        “This may sound crazy, but he’s the guy I’m looking forward to seeing play this spring more than anyone else. They say he plays like a wild man. I’m anxious to see him play. He can run, he can throw and he’s got power.”
        As much as Leyland would like to keep a back-up centerfielder such as Wells or Brent Clevlen, it is unlikely he will have room.
        “If everybody stays healthy, we’re going to have more guys who deserve to be on the team than we have spaces,” Leyland said.
        “What that boils down to is, somebody is going to be mad at me. That’s fine. I’d rather have it that way than have to be searching.”