MLB - Sports Rumors

Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:14 pm EDT

For Tigers, relief is finally within site

By Joe Zedalis

Joel Zumaya

Getty Images

If not at the end of the tunnel, there are lights already beginning to glimmer at the end of the month with the expected returns of Detroit Tigers relievers Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney. Actually, they could be back sooner than the end of the month. As manager Jim Leyland already has said, "How much work do relief pitchers need?"

Rodney and Zumaya will begin their rehab assignments Tuesday — Rodney in relief for Triple-A Toledo, Zumaya for Class A Lakeland. They'll both make their first appearance. That's the thing about rehab assignments: Those on them don't have to wait until a pitching opportunity just happens to come their way. They are created.

Rodney will go two innings, Zumaya is scheduled for one. Leyland is interested in how they do, of course, but he won't be waiting by the phone for the report. For one thing, he still has a sub-.500 team to be concerned about. For another, their first outing won't mean that either of the pitchers is instantly ready to pitch at the major league level.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm interested," Leyland said. "But it's not life or death. I'll get the report and go from there. Denny Bautista is pitching today and tomorrow (for Toledo), back to back, so that's something else interesting."

Source: Detroit NewsNew Window

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30 Comments

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  1. jd 1
    1. Posted by jd 1 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:19 pm EDT

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    Good news at last for Detroit. You guys need it.
  2. William C
    2. Posted by William C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    Hopefully Zumaya still can hit 100
  3. zoobie
    3. Posted by zoobie Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    it won't help the pathetic offense. unless they have been taking batting practice....
  4. Julio
    4. Posted by Julio Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:53 pm EDT

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    sight?
  5. Decapitated Mr. Redlegs
    5. Posted by Decapitated Mr. Redlegs Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:12 pm EDT

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    Someone make sure that Zumaya hasn't been playing any Guitar Hero during his time on the DL.
  6. daniel l
    6. Posted by daniel l Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:00 pm EDT

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    There offence will be fine!It was always there relief this year that had been a problem,and as you can see buy there bullpen stats this year its been a big problem...This is huge news for the tigers.
  7. zoobie
    7. Posted by zoobie Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    offense will be fine? does 9 shutouts ring a bell. what dream world are you living in?
  8. SK
    8. Posted by SK Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:43 pm EDT

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    But also two 19 run games and multiple series where we scroed 25+.....that dream world
  9. zoobie
    9. Posted by zoobie Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    What happened the next games following those? No Offense!
  10. fromtheboneyard
    10. Posted by fromtheboneyard Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:25 pm EDT

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    Who cares about pitching rumors/additions etc.... There is a problem in the clubhouse....wherever it's at, that is keeping these hitters from focusing or being committed to hitting consistently. The pitching is ok now. It has been the offense where the problem is. So far....what a waist of a talented club.
  11. carl hungus
    11. Posted by carl hungus Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

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    doesn't matter....they will still lose to Oakland tonight. Go A's.
  12. zoobie
    12. Posted by zoobie Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    #10- finally someone who has been watching this season. No one can get comfortable, playing the Leyland lineup shuffle everday...
  13. Tickler
    13. Posted by Tickler Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:08 pm EDT

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    ...within "site"? A professional journalist should be able to spell correctly. Shame shame shame.
    As for Rodney and Zumaya, as much as I like their powerful fastballs, I despise their lack of control and the fact they are so prone to injuries. Seriously, how helpful are they really, between the weeks spent on the DL, or the BBs and losses they generate for the Tigers?
  14. weston
    14. Posted by weston Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

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    chris s blows ------ I saw him at Fenway going down on one of the guys selling cotton candy.
  15. Singingscotty2001
    15. Posted by Singingscotty2001 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:23 pm EDT

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    Hey chris s, All Detroit teams? Your Bruins are really tearing things up in the NHL finals arent they?
  16. Mister Six
    16. Posted by Mister Six Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:25 pm EDT

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    The offense will come around. Most of the AL hasn't hit the first couple of months. But they still need more starting pitching to get to Rodney and Zumaya.
    http://www.sportsix.blogspot.com
  17. Austin M
    17. Posted by Austin M Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:16 pm EDT

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    This team has been disappointing. I predicted a Miguel Cabrera MVP and a Verlander Cy Young. Cabrera can forget the MVP because Josh Hamilton may get the triple crown, and Verlander...well let's face it, he'll have to finish the season with an 18-0 record if he's going to win Cy Young. If they want to compete they need to add pitching.
  18. Bob C
    18. Posted by Bob C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    Jim to me is not a manager he has detroit in a mess they should never have pulled inge not saying he hits good he does not but look at everone the same we can get our bullpen back will not make hitters hit a tiger fan starting in 1968 seen alot never like this
  19. Bryan F
    19. Posted by Bryan F Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    Shouldn't it be "sight" not "site"?
  20. The Famous Turd Ferguson
    20. Posted by The Famous Turd Ferguson Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    I'm sorry for the last post. I am just lashing out because my manhood is....well....not very big. I try to compensate for that by aligning myself with one of the BIGGEST American cities. Sadly, my baseball team has shriveled up, just like my little pecker. Again, I apologize for my offensive remark. I hope you can forgive and send me some penis enlargement pills.
  21. The Famous Turd Ferguson
    21. Posted by The Famous Turd Ferguson Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    Again, I'm sorry for the guy in #24. There is nothing I can do about this. I talked to my "friend" chris s - and he said forgot about it and come to bed.
  22. Ian S
    22. Posted by Ian S Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

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    i think someone said pathetic offense. hahah. Check out the numbers first. Its not he offense that is the problem, its the pitching staff.
    can I get a what what?
  23. paul j
    23. Posted by paul j Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:48 pm EDT

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    It may not be life or death Jimmy boy, but it may be the difference between your team having some life, or completely dying, which is the direction you're currently headed....
  24. longliveKaline
    24. Posted by longliveKaline Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:39 pm EDT

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    Enough of Raburn and Larrish already. Bring up Clevlen and Hessman.
  25. weston
    25. Posted by weston Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

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    Does it really matter WHO we bring up? Stick a fork in 'em. They're done.
    Dombrowski, Illitch, and company took you guys for a fantasy ride. Now it is time to pay the piper. Don't worry - they'll give the Tiger fans the "mushroom treatment" while they're in the cellar. (Keep you in the dark and throw some $hit on you every once in awhile)

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