Tigers moving Dominican academy

Tigers moving Dominican academy
San Pedro de Macoris will be site of club's new complex

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

03/16/10 4:22 PM ET

Once the Tigers break camp from their Minor League Spring Training next month, they'll be entering some new digs in the Dominican Republic.

After several years at former Major League pitcher Jose Rijo's training complex, the Tigers are in the process of moving their Dominican academy to a newly-built facility in San Pedro de Macoris, the renowned hometown of several Major League greats. The club's Dominican prospects have begun working out there this spring while the finishing touches are put on the facility.

Once the complex is completed, the Tigers will hold a grand opening for the facility, which will offer their Dominican prospects state-of-the-art surroundings for instruction and development, plus a chance to compete against several other Major League academies nearby.

The Tigers do not own their own facility in the Dominican Republic, instead renting space to use. Until the past couple of years, they had been sharing their old Dominican academy with several other clubs. By last summer, however, they were the last Major League club in camp after the Nationals and Padres left. Washington dismissed Rijo from its front office last spring, alleging he had a role in the signing of a prospect who lied about his age. The Padres were already set to leave to open their own facility.

That left the Tigers alone in the academy in the mountains around San Cristobal. Though the surroundings were good, the travel was a little more difficult.

The new facility will make that part easier, plus provide newer surroundings. It'll also be closer to the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo, making it easier for team officials to get in and out. It's expected to be ready in the coming weeks, in time for the Dominican Summer League.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.