Rotation Update
By Blake VandeBunte • Mar 29th, 2009 • Category: 2009 Season, Armando Galarraga, Dontrelle Willis, Edwin Jackson, James Skelton, Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Kyle Bloom, Nate Robertson, Rick Porcello, Zach MinerLoyal readers may have noticed that I did not post anything yesterday. It’s true. Yesterday was the first day this site went unchanged since November 30, 2008. That span covered Christmas, the New Year and the Top 100 Tigers of all-time. I don’t know why it happened yesterday, but I just needed a break. Getting back into it…
The Tigers got two great starts out of Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson. Verlander went seven scoreless innings against the Atlanta Braves on Friday. He was clocked at 97mph on the radar gun and allowed only two hits. Edwin Jackson was just as good yesterday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Jackson went seven innings and gave up one run on six hits as he allowed zero walks. Both pitchers seems to ready for the regular season.
Since Verlander and Jackson are the only Tigers starters with their games where they need to be, they will start the club’s first two games of the season in Toronto. Jim Leyland named Verlander the teams opening day starter for the second straight season.
Jeremy Bonderman is set to start this afternoon against the Braves in Lakeland. Bonderman is a bit of a good news/bad news guy these days. The good news is that he feels no pain at all in his throwing arm as he recovers from surgery. The bad news is that his arm strength is not where it needs to be one week from opening day.
All indications show that Armando Galarraga will start the Tigers third game of the season, but no announcement has been made. He has thrown only two innings all spring for the Tigers but he was able to stretch his arm out a bit as he pitched for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.
Nate Robertson has a sprained thumb on his pitching hand but the team expects him to be ready to go once the regular season is underway. While it has not been made official, the odds seem to be in Robertson’s favor of making the rotation - at least to start the season.
That leaves us with Dontrelle Willis, Rick Porcello and Zach Miner. All three pitchers are still in the running for a rotation spot. Each pitcher should get in at least 4 more innings or so this spring to help make their case for a spot on the team. Injuries to others will certainly affect their situations. Sadly, all three players have fairly major issues: Willis terrible, Porcello just turned 20, and Miner is better suited as a reliever.
In other news, the Tigers returned Rule 5 pick, Kyle Bloom to the Pirates as he could not land a job with the Tigers out of spring training. Hopefully the Diamondbacks will follow suit and give James Skelton back to the Tigers.
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First off great site
Sad to say…I JUST stumbled upon it.
Question though…
What is the deal with James Skelton?
Is it in fact true that like Bloom if James doesn’t make the opening day 25 that he will be returned for a purchase price?
Thanks
JAY RC
I read somewhere that Leyland was thinking about starting Galarraga for the home opener. Also, I watched the Verlander game on the MLB Network and I think he looked better yesterday then he did all of last year. I know that Knapp has tweaked his mechanics a little. He has looked real good in both games that I have seen him this spring.
Jay RC, you are correct on how Rule 5 guys go. I do believe that if Skelton doesn’t make the cut in AZ but wants to negotiate a contract and head to the minors that he can do that. I believe Skelton is hitting below .200 but that the Diamondbacks really like his versatility. Thanks for coming to the site. Tell your friends.
Kenny, you think you’re pretty special with your MLB Network don’t you? Aside from work and going to the bathroom, do you ever leave your couch? I suppose saving Galarraga for the home opener makes some sense. I hadn’t thought of that.
someone is jealous because he doesnt have mlb network.
Right you are.
You two are a trip!
Season tickets for spring training at both Lakeland and Disneys Wide World of Sports crush MLBs terible spring camera angles…LOL.
Bondo looked shaky today…hopefully they keep him here in sunny Lakeland so I can keep an eye on him for a week. Besides that though..Maybe I’m just keeping the glass half full but I think we should be alright.
Verlander Jackson Galarraga Robertson Bonine. Then once Bondo gets healthy move Nate to the five.
The bullpen has looked “scarry” good this spring besides one bad Lyon outing and Fernando. Lefties Seay and Rappada looked untouchable today both are sporting ERAs around 1.50. Add in Juan Rincon and Ryan Perry and the middle innings should (key word should) be tight. It’s always a bumpy ride but at least it’s time to play ball!
I plan on stopping by…hope u don’t mind.
Love the Top 100 Tigers & the 4000 cal burger…might take in a Caps game when I head north in August just to see it.
Keep up the great work
JAY-RC
I dont think they can put Bonine in the rotation. He has pitched 14 innings in 9 games so he isnt stretched out enough. He has been very good this spring though. His numbers are really good. I think the fifth spot will go to Minor now that Bondo is hurt. I think Minor will be ok this year. I like the pitching staff and the defense (other then the corner outfielders).
Jay, I like your thinking with Bonine. He was pretty bad with the Tigers last season but has been dynamite this spring. Seems to me that you continue to ride the hot hand.
However, as Kenny points out, Bonine probably isn’t totally stretched out. However, if they gave him a quick heads up and told him to get ready for that possibility I think he could probably go five innings a game in April.
Very good point.
So perhaps Miner gets the nod and Bonine temporarily moves into Miners long relief role? I’m pretty sure Bonine could do that. One thing to keep in mind though is that after they pitch, they sometimes go to the bullpen and continue to throw. Not sure if Eddie is one of them…But being that he’s projected as Toledos #3 stater you would think at some point they would be stretching him. Until you mentioned 14 1/3 innings I didn’t realize it…just seems like I see so much of him.
That would make it difficult though…
Miner it is I guess
JAY-RC