Former Tiger pitchers Doug Mathis and Justin James are both fighting for a chance to remain in the majors. But competing for a spot on a Major League Baseball roster is nothing new for either Mathis or James, as their professional baseball careers have been filled with ups and downs.

Mathis, who was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2005, is working hard in hopes of making his new team, the Cleveland Indians.

“I came into a pretty good situation here (with the Indians), so I’m just trying to work hard and see where it goes this year,” Mathis said. “I obviously want to make the team. That’s the number one goal, spend the whole year in the big leagues and have a productive year.

Mathis hopes to cement his place in the Majors this year.

“I’ve been kind of up and down the last few years, so I want to just stick this year and kind of be a regular big league player,” he said.

Mathis spent the past three seasons with the Rangers, posting a 3-3 record with a 4.84 ERA in 45 appearances. During those three seasons, he spent the majority of his time pitching in the Minors, being called up and sent down on a regular basis.

“It gets tough sometimes, but it also comes with the territory,” Mathis said. “You kind of get used to it, but it kind of gets old after a while. That’s why it’s important for me to find a place where I could stick and kind of stay and be consistent, stay somewhere where I’m not going up and down.”

During his time at Missouri, Mathis was one of the more consistent pitchers in the starting rotation.

“He was just a good competitor, and he threw strikes,” Missouri coach Tim Jamieson said. “It’s amazing what you can do if you do that at the highest level.”

James, who was signed by the Brewers this offseason, is also in a very similar situation. He has spent the past seven seasons in the minor leagues after being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003, and like Mathis, is trying to make the big league roster.

“It’d be great to make the team out of spring training, but I just want to be on a mound pitching somewhere and just see where I can go from there,” James said.

James made his first big league appearance last season with the Oakland Athletics, posting a 4.50 ERA in five games, and his now faced with an opportunity to make the Brewers coming out of spring training.

“As far as you know, pushing yourself, it just makes you want to try a little bit harder,” James said. “You’re always learning from veteran guys, so it’s a different experience (from the Minors). At the same time, I’m just enjoying it.”

For these two former Tigers, the path to the big leagues has not been an easy task. Mathis has already been sent to the Minors to begin the season, and James could be next.

But while their journeys might be long, with each step of the way, Mathis and James are inching closer and closer to their pursuit of a steady career in the Majors.