DETROIT -- Craig Monroe believes his legal questions will soon work out and won 't be a distraction as the young outfielder turns his focus towards taking a la rger role in the Tigers lineup. Monroe's remarks Friday as Tigers players underwent physicals and light workout s at Comerica Park were his first since he was arrested in December and accused of shoplifting a belt at a store in Port Charlotte, Fla. "What I can say is that everyone involved in this matter has been extremely hel pful and very cooperative as far as the whole process," he said. "It's been eas y for me to just let it go, because I know that it's being taken care of. I've actually just forgot about it, and I know now that I have to focus on one thing , and that's doing the best job I can do as far as playing the game, because th at's what's important to me. "Unfortunately, I can't into details into how this all spinned out, but I think in due time it'll be OK." Legally, Monroe can't go into details, since the case is still pending. He has pleaded not guilty. But if it was weighing on his mind as he met with team officials and talked wit h a handful of reporters, it didn't reflect in the smile on his face. After all he has been through in his struggles to make it as a Major Leaguer, he has nev er withered from adversity. A year ago at this time, he went from Detroit's promising slugger in left to a fourth outfielder when the Tigers signed Rondell White. The year before that, h e had been up and down from Toledo to Detroit and back five times and was ticke ted for the Mud Hens yet again. Now, he sees opportunity coming his way, and he doesn't want any excuse not to seize it. "That's behind me," he said of the incident. "That's way behind. I'm looking fo rward to getting out on the field. I heard some positive things from [manager A lan Trammell], and the team has been oversupportive. So I'm very confident goin g into Spring Training and the season that I'm going to be fine." He will be on time to Spring Training, he said, and he will be in Detroit when the season begins. And if he has his way, it'll be as an everyday player. "But you know what? I don't take anything for granted," he said. "I'm going to stay humble, knowing that there's a good chance that I'm going to be an everyda y guy. I feel like I've really worked hard. I feel like I've done some things t hat have allowed me to get this opportunity. It's going to be another stepping stone that I have to get over as far as the excitement of getting out there and being the No. 1 guy. I definitely feel like being the backup, to sit back and watch Rondell and [Bobby Higginson] go out there every day, has really showed m e how I can go about my business." Monroe has been doing core strength workouts in Texas with Twins All-Star cente r fielder Torii Hunter and Cubs reliever LaTroy Hawkins. He has lost about 15 p ounds and tipped the scales at a solid 215 on Friday. His next step will be to translate that extra step at the plate, where he emerg ed as an overall hitter last year with a .293 batting average, 18 home runs and 72 RBIs in 447 at-bats. Manager Alan Trammell indicated he'll get every chance to do that. "His playing time will probably be more significant," Trammell said. "We'll see as we go in [to camp]. He's going to work at different positions out there, bu t all he wants to do is play. We'll see where it leads, but at this point, prob ably, his playing time will be a little more." -- ★opengoodbook 你什麼時候設我為好友啦?!XD To opengoodbook: 第一次丟你水球之後阿XD ★opengoodbook 我會害羞(跑) To opengoodbook: :P ★opengoodbook 這麼主動...... --

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