Finally Some Good News
Joel Zumaya will be back this weekend, according to several reports.While I’m not too sure what he has in the tank right now, I know that he’ll bring a mentality that isn’t in the bullpen right now. The only questions remaining are what day, and who goes down? I don’t know the day, but the who has to be Eddie Bonine. He pitched his way onto the staff in the spring, but right now he is tied with Justin Verlander for the worst ERA on the team. Really, its simple enough to mean that out of the seven relievers, Bonine’s the one with the most to gain in the minors. We’ll probably see him back at some point anyways.
Other reasons to send down Bonine include: the outstanding pitching of Bobby Seay, Ryan Perry, Fernando Rodney, and Nate Robertson. Juan Rincon’s ERA is back to acceptable, and Brandon Lyon’s getting too much money to be in the minors (and his ERA isn’t that bad, almost Todd Jones-ish).
More on Thames
Well, it looks like Marcus Thames will indeed be out for a good little while. After getting an MRI on his injured ribcage, the prescription is at least 2 weeks of not doing anything rest. It will be closer to a month before he begins getting back into game shape, with maybe another week added on with rehab games. So, I guess it’ll be late May or early June before we see #33 again. I guess Ryan Raburn can get comfortable in the clubhouse.
In a possibly related move, the Tigers acquired outfielder Jason Tyner from the Brewers. As of this writing, its a low-key move. My guess is that it’s for minor league depth. Tyner has played for the Rays and Twins, and even 1 game last year for the Indians. He hasn’t played big league games that mattered in a while, so it can only mean minor league insurance.
Thames to the DL
Marcus Thames has been put on the DL with a pulled muscle in his ribcage. In his place, the Tigers have called up Ryan Raburn.
I’m wondering why Raburn and not Clevlen. On the one hand, if Raburn has a few options left and doesn’t have to pass waivers again, its a smart move. At the same time, if Thames is going to be on the list for more than the minimum time, I’d want an outfielder who I’m comfortable being an everyday player, like the other 4 who we have. Also, what if Raburn’s callup means something about his versatility? If Adam Everett is in the proverbial doghouse, that makes Ramon Santiago the starter. If that is the case, we need a backup for Placido Polanco. Hmmm…..
In Tribute
What a bad week for the community of
baseball. I sit here, and I find it difficult to write
anything meaningful. Harry Kalas and Mark Fidrych have both
passed on, just before it had been one week since Nick
Adenhart was taken from this world. I never knew of Kalas,
but how can you not feel a loss when you hear his voice
calling the 500th home run of Mike Schmidt or to learn that
the voice of NFL Films is that of Kalas. I never saw Fidrych
play, but I was lucky enough to see him come out after the
final game at Tiger Stadium in 1999. Despite my lack of
personal attachment to either of these men, I cannot help but
feel the loss. Once again we remind ourselves of how precious
life is. One more day seems a bigger blessing that it was
before now. Kalas was found unconscious in the broadcast
booth. I can’t even begin to convey what that means to have
such dedication to your job that you are there until your
final moments on Earth. We should all be so
lucky.
How About That
Well now, this is more like it. What a fantastic comeback win for the Tigers today.
Congratulations to Brandon Inge, who homered and drove in 3 RBIs, on his 100th career homer.
Congratulations to Nate Robertson who collected his 50th career win yesterday.
I’m not sure what words to use to express the performance of the bullpen over the last two games. They combined to retire 24 batters in a row, 25+ if you look at the entire Texas series. Brandon Lyon had a marvelous comeback game today, pitching the way fans expected when he was signed in the off season. Fernando Rodney, with his second straight save, and striking out the side yesterday, wonderful. I have no idea what’s changed so far this season from the past, but for goodness sakes don’t let it go.
Side note: Carlos Guillen left in the 8th inning with a “Achilles strain”, done either when he legged out his double or when he made that running catch a few innings before. They’re already calling him day-to-day with this, so I expect either a day off tomorrow or else DH. This probably works out well, it’s about time for Marcus Thames to get some outfield work in.
My Adenhart Tribute
I’m sure that over recent days and in the weeks to come, most people will do what they need to do in order to vent, mourn, and grieve for Nick Adenhart and the other victims of that fatal car accident. Like many people, I turned to writing down thoughts and feelings. Many people remember when Daryl Kyle passed away in the middle of the 2002 season. I also recall how Joe Kennedy died shortly after the 2007 season, and when Cory Lidle crashed his plane into a New York apartment building a mere ten days after his Yankees were eliminated from the 2006 playoffs by the Detroit Tigers. And possibly the biggest one, litterally this time two years ago, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock died in a car accident on April 29, 2007. These short five examples from the realm of Major League baseball alone tend to remind us often of how precious life is. Add in the tradgedy of September 11, and I digress into a tear fest.
But that isn’t my point right now. The point I want to make here is that with all of these events, baseball took a back seat to living. But then we also used baseball to help us move on. I remember when baseball resumed after the terrorist attacks, how it helped the country heal, especially since the Yankees made their run to an American League Championship and ran the World Series to seven games. I was watching TV when Joe Girardi (as a player) told fans that baseball was on hold for Kyle’s death. His jersey hung in the St. Louis dugout for a long time after. Players took themselves out of the All-Star Game because of how they felt. I was watching tonight when the Angles took the field again to begin the process of moving on. Yes, baseball doesn’t matter a lick when compared to the bigger things in life that we often take for granted and overlook. But I can’t help but feel something for how we return to the game so that it can help us carry on.
And that’s all we can do…. carry on.
Opening Day
Happiness very well might be being somewhere where you can enjoy the first home game of the baseball season in peace. Some notes as the game unfolds:
Ha! Brandon Lyon got booed when he was introduced to the home crowd. Juan Rincon got it too, but not as bad.
A little disappointed they didn’t bring in the “injured” Tigers for opening day and player introductions. Yeah, this isn’t Florida and there wouldn’t be any work for them, but it would have been nice, maybe even good for Dontrelle Willis’ anxiety.
I was about to make a cynical remark about Carlos Guillen’s left field play, but then Brandon Inge made that fantastic catch.
Jeff Larish might need some work on his sprinting. That double he hit was a little too close for where it was hit.
I am so happy I have Inge on my fantasy team.
Honestly, who didn’t see the Miguel Cabrera grand slam coming? ONLY his 2nd career slam!
There is already too much of that damn “April in the D” song without having the college girls sing it too.
We can only hope Larish stays this hungry for playing time. If he can do this while playing once or twice a week, CHA-CHING.
I feel a little for Kris Benson. He’s worked very, very hard to get back to the majors. I hope he has a Cy Young caliber season…. unless he pitches against the Tigers again. Is his wife still a looker?
Quality start from Armando Galarraga is not a strong enough word. Career high 8 strikeouts and only one run against. I can’t even grudge him the run, since Hank Blalock (who had the RBI) is also on my fantasy team.
I bet the home fans are pretty pleased to see Ryan Perry in person.
Joel Zumaya is going to pitch in minor league games starting tomorrow (No, Zumaya isn’t starting).
15-2. Could not ask for anything better.
First Entry of the Season
I wanted to wait until I had something good to write about. It took three games. At least this was sooner that it would have been last year. To get straight to the point:
GREAT start from Edwin Jackson. I can see some agony ahead if he fails to get run support like Nate Robertson never had either. The bullpen (aka Brandon Lyon) owes Jackson one win.
Brandon Inge!!!! Three homers in three games! I’m not sure which deity to give thanks to for that one.
Miguel Cabrera is batting .700 through three games. In-cred-a-ble.
Solid start from Zach Minor. I hope going 6 innings or better would be seen more often than not, even though he went 5.2 tonight.
Bobby Seay has been the most consistent member of the bullpen. Yeah, talk about the numbers and lack of batters faced, but he’s the one guy who’s actually doing his job well.
I should say something about Robertson’s bullpen outing, Perry’s debut, and Rodney’s non-blown game, but due to a Wings games and my crappy cable service, I didn’t get to see them pitch. More will follow as my time permits.
Finalized Rosters
Today I read that Jeff Larish did indeed win the final roster spot on the 25 man roster. Wish I could say something of condolence to Brent Clevlen, but I knew this was coming. The only thing Clevlen could do in the outfield that Larish couldn’t was play center, and they now have Josh Anderson for that. I also read on CBS.com that Clevlen was outrighted to the minors. If that is true, that would mean that he already passed through waivers. Since the move was just anounced today, I’m not sure if that is totally accurate. For another move, CBS also said that Mike Hessman was outrighted to the minors. This is probably true, which means no one thought enough to pick him up on waivers, Major League club or foreign.
In other moves, congratulations to Craig Monroe for making the Pirates. And condolances to Frank Catalanotto and Chris Gomez for being cut by Texas and Baltimors, respectively.
Let’s play ball!!!
And So It Is Done
Today, the Tigers all but finalized their opening day roster. Ryan Raburn, Dane Sardinha, and Clay Rapada were optioned to Toledo, while Scott Williamson was sent to minor league camp, and Mike Hessman was placed on waviers. Raburn flat out played his way off the team. The emergance of Jeff Larish and the acquisition of Josh Anderson sealed his fate. Whether or not he’ll play the whole year in Toledo or be traded is for time to decide. Sardinha wasn’t going to make the team anyways, so really his was a competition to see who would be the emergency catcher. Since he was the last minor league catcher in camp, I guess its still his role until Dusty Ryan clobers the ball. Rapada lost out on the second lefty in the bullpen slot. But at least he’s still young and can get some good work in at Toledo. I’m not sure what will become of Williamson. He might get released from his deal, or he could end up in the minors to work on his comeback. Hessman, for his part, did all he could. The reason he was placed on waivers was that he is out of minor league options and this was the procedure. There is a chance that some team could claim him off waivers. I’ve even heard something that Japanese teams are interested in him. However, I’m conifident that if he passes through the waiver wire that he’ll take an assignment to Toledo.
On the flip side of these moves, it is now official that Juan Rincon, Eddie Bonine, Rick Porcello, and Ryan Perry have all made the 2009 opening day roster. All four of these men played their way onto the club, and congratualtions are in order. Porcello will be in the rotation, as will Zach Miner. Thus, Nate Robertson is going to be the second lefty in the bullpen, and possibly one of the long men. Personally, I think this is a mistake. The rotation is now completely right handed. Even when Jeremy Bonderman comes back, Miner will be in the bullpen and it’ll still be five righties.
The only thing that is not official is whether or not the Tigers will take Jeff Larish or Brent Clevlen with the final spot on the bench. I’m inclined to think that it will be Larish, since all spring we’ve heard about how much they love his left handed bat. Cleven is like Hessman, out of minor league options. He’d have to pass through waivers to return to Toledo, and its not too likely that he wouldn’t be picked up by someone. Odds are the team is holding on to him until the end of the week to see if some team would be willing to acquire him through a trade before exposing him to waivers. Obviously, my predicted roster at the begining of spring training looks a lot different than the actual roster that will head north in a few days. In my next post I’ll compare and contrast the before and after looks.
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