LAKELAND, Fla. >> Something seemed off these first few days of camp, like something was missing.

That something, it turns out, was the venerable clubhouse manager Jim Schmakel. The Tigers announced Friday that the 74-year-old Schmakel has “decided to turn the page and start a new chapter in his life.”

Schmakel has been part of the fabric of the Tigers organization since 1978. Until 2022, he managed the Tigers’ clubhouse both at Tiger Stadium and Comerica Park. For the last two years, he manned the visitor’s clubhouse, returning to that role after quadruple bypass surgery in 2023.

“Throughout his remarkable career, Jim has had the honor of providing support to countless managers, players, coaches, umpires, batboys, staff members, and many others throughout baseball,” read a statement from the Tigers. “Beyond his day-to-day responsibilities, Jim’s impact on the game extends far and wide.”

He was a founding member of the MLB Clubhouse Manager’s Association and helped launch the MLBCMA Scholarship Award Program.

“The Detroit Tigers organization extends its heartfelt gratitude to Jim for his decades of service and wishes him and his wife all the best,” the statement read.

The Tigers are in the process of planning a “Special Recognition Day” in his honor during the 2025 season.

Greene with envy

Riley Greene, three days before the first official full-squad workout, was holding court in front of his locker Friday.

“All-Star Riley Greene,” manager AJ Hinch said. “We call him ‘All-Star Riley Greene.’”

Greene played in a career-high 137 games last year, a feat he’s just as proud of as his career-high 24 homers, 74 RBI, .827 OPS, the All-Star nod and the Fielding Bible Award.

“His overall understanding of why he’s good has grown,” Hinch said. “And what it’s going to take for him to endure what is expected of him. If he wants to play 150-plus games in the outfield, or 140 or 130, things like nutrition, things in the training room, in the weight room — it is all-encompassing. It’s not just going to work out in the cage and being young and limber.

“It’s been a whole program to get him from start to finish.”

He’s had to make some rough sacrifices, too. Like, stay away from Chick-fil-A.

“I’ve learned a lot,” Greene said. “I ate better this offseason and that really helped how I felt working out. I need to do this. I needed to eat healthier. I love my Chick-fil-A and I set a record for how few times I ate it — just three times. That was it. I was proud of myself.”

He’s been disciplined, too, with his protein and supplement intake, as well as his sleep patterns.

“This team motivated me,” Greene said. “The boys, they depend on me as I depend on them. My goal is to stay on the field for them.”

Jack, meet Riley

Greene was asked if he texted pitcher Jack Flaherty after he re-signed with the club.

“Oh, yeah,” he said. “I was messaging him.”

They’ve come a long way from this time last year.

“We didn’t say a word to each other last spring training,” Greene said. “Not one word. Then we got into the season and I said, ‘Hi.’ He said, ‘Hi.’”

What the heck?

“Jack is a quiet guy,” Greene said. “He looks serious. He goes about his business. I just figure, leave him alone.”