More progress for Zumaya, Rodney

05/26/2008 10:10 PM ET
More progress for Zumaya, Rodney
Tigers relievers working their way toward rehab outings
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Another set of outings in extended Spring Training brought another sign of encouragement, as Tigers relievers Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya continue to work their way toward Minor League rehabilitation stints.

Rodney and Zumaya threw again in Lakeland, Fla., on Monday and had what Tigers manager Jim Leyland considered "pretty good" results. While Zumaya topped out at 95 mph, slightly slower than his last outing over the weekend, he has consistently thrown around the mid-90s.

Rodney, meanwhile, was again approaching the mid-90s, ranging from 92-94 mph with his fastball. Neither appears to be on the verge of a rehab stint, but they could have big outings in the coming days.

Team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski is expected to travel to Lakeland in the coming days to join scouting director David Chadd and his group in preparation for next week's First-Year Player Draft. While there, Dombrowski will watch Rodney and Zumaya pitch.

Rodney and Zumaya have been on the disabled list since the start of the season -- Rodney with right shoulder tendinitis that flared up early in Spring Training, Zumaya for offseason shoulder surgery after an accident in his hometown of San Diego. They began throwing in extended spring games late last week.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

That sounds pretty positive...and promising. After last nights game (a walk-off walk!) we need some more bullpen help!

GO RODNEY AND ZUMAYA

We need you here Zoom! Get back soon!

Zooms little brother seems to be a big positive surprise at the moment! GO ZOOM BROS!

05/30/2008 11:02 PM ET
Rodney, Zumaya close to rehab stints
Tigers setup men set to begin Minor League assignments
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

SEATTLE -- While Tigers manager Jim Leyland was contemplating changes to his club, he's also at the point where he can start planning on having his two setup men back. Both Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya are close to going on Minor League rehab assignments, Leyland said.

Rodney, on the 15-day disabled list since Opening Day with right shoulder tendinitis, threw another game in extended Spring Training under the watch of Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski. His velocity wasn't as high as it was in previous games, Leyland said, but his changeup was good, according to reports.

Zumaya, working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery, will do the same this weekend. With extended Spring Training wrapping up, both will have to head out on assignment to pitch in games anyway.

Rodney is expected to pitch at Triple-A Toledo, Leyland said, "once everything is all cleared up." Zumaya will probably stay in Florida and start out at Class A Lakeland. Once they begin pitching, wherever they are, they'll have 30 days to work before the Tigers have to decide what to do with them.

If they progress as hoped and return healthy, it would be a major boost for a Tigers club that has struggled to fill the late-inning portion of its bullpen. With Rodney, Zumaya and Denny Bautista all on the DL, Detroit is working with Francisco Cruceta as its primary setup man and Zach Miner contributing in the late innings.

Leyland has planned what he called a "significant" move involving his pitching staff, but he doesn't want to announce it until he has told the players involved.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Quote :

Leyland has planned what
he called a "significant" move involving his pitching staff, but he
doesn't want to announce it until he has told the players involved.

I bet this is the Nate trade!

Our starting pitching has gotten the job done lately.


Why mess with it?

05/31/2008 4:53 PM ET
Rodney, Zumaya set for June return
Pair of relievers complete extended spring training outings
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

SEATTLE -- The Tigers didn't have any more changes in store for Saturday, but they could be making room for Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya sooner than expected. Both Rodney and Zumaya are on track to join the Tigers sometime within the coming month of June as they prepare to begin Minor League rehab assignments.

The pair of setup men both threw their final outings of extended spring training on Saturday, manager Jim Leyland said. It was a back-to-back set of outings for Rodney, whose velocity on his fastball was down around 93 mph, according to reports, but whose changeup was much better. Zumaya's fastball topped out around 97 mph, but was more often around 95.

With extended spring over, both are slated to have a couple days off from pitching before they head out on assignment next week -- Rodney to Triple-A Toledo, Zumaya to Class A Lakeland. The Tigers can keep them there for up to 30 days, but with both of them having already pitched for a while, Leyland said it's not likely they'll need that long.

"Knock on wood, if they don't have any setbacks, they'll both be back in June," Leyland said.

That would be ahead of schedule on Zumaya, whose recovery from offseason shoulder surgery was expected to keep him out until at least the All-Star break. Since Zumaya's surgery -- a reconstruction of the A/C joint in his right shoulder -- has no case history among Major League pitchers, the timetable given was essentially a rough estimate and assumed more challenges than he actually has encountered.

Rodney's track has gone back-and-forth with setbacks this year. Considering Rodney had visited orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews thinking he would need surgery, however, a return within a month would be a major victory for the Tigers.

They're close enough, and progressing well enough, that Leyland has allowed himself to start thinking about having them back and how he would put together his bullpen with them.

"No disrespect to any of the people who are here," Leyland said, "but when Zumaya and Rodney walk in, that's instant credibility."

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Big deal - you can't win with 0 runs.

catbox_9 wrote:

Big deal - you can't win with 0 runs.

I agree there! I still think the team is not even trying to play well for Leyland. He has lost all creditability with the players, and the more he tinkers now, the more people he pisses off! I'm sure the whole batting staff is angry that the #1 pitcher is now Dontrelle's closer! That sucks! At least they try to get runs for him -- he is a players favorite with his humor and magic tricks in the clubhouse, in addition to being a great pitcher!


I think there is a problem between Verlander and the other pitchers since they earn so much more money than him. His arrogance has not helped.

In other words, the whole team's problem is chemistry between manager and players (even though Leyland does not believe in chemistry) and big egos! There are more problems than we will ever know!

catbox_9 wrote:

Big deal - you can't win with 0 runs.

I know they only got 2 hits today, but I believe most of the problem is the way the batting order is constructed. 6th? C'mon!

bobrob2004 wrote:

catbox_9 wrote:

Big deal - you can't win with 0 runs.

I know they only got 2 hits today, but I believe most of the problem is the way the batting order is constructed. 6th? C'mon!

Yeah, what's Cabrera doing 6th? Hit him 8th!

Oh, 2 hits is plenty. If anything it's too many!

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

In other words, the whole team's problem is chemistry between manager and players (even though Leyland does not believe in chemistry) and big egos! There are more problems than we will ever know!

The problem is that Leyland cannot get the best out of his players and for that he should be FIRED! He cannot make a good lineup. He doesn't know how to motivate his players. He doesn't know when to pitch his pitchers or use his bench properly. What the is he doing here then? The players can manage themselves better than Leyland!

FIRE LEYLAND

*gulp* Nate's getting traded?

bobrob2004 wrote:

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

In other words, the whole team's problem is chemistry between manager and players (even though Leyland does not believe in chemistry) and big egos! There are more problems than we will ever know!

The problem is that Leyland cannot get the best out of his players and for that he should be FIRED! He cannot make a good lineup. He doesn't know how to motivate his players. He doesn't know when to pitch his pitchers or use his bench properly. What the is he doing here then? The players can manage themselves better than Leyland!

That is exactally what needs to be done. Leyland needs to go! Leyland (and DD) are trying to re-assemble the Marlins WS teams in Detroit and merge them with the good players Detroit already has. It taint workin folks!

So, who are these WS Marlins ...
SS Edgar Renteria - 1997 Leyland WS team
RF Gary Sheffield - 1997 Leyland WS team
C Ivan Rodriguez - 2003 WS team
Miguel Cabrera - 2003 WS team
Dontrelle Willis - 2003 WS team
Ugueth Urbina - 2003 WS team (was with Det in 2004-2005)


His coaching staff were players from Leylands 1st place Pittsburgh team
CF *Andy Van Slyke
Lloyd McClendon

And his record sounds similar to ours in Fla.
WS in 1997 and 5th place in 1998 - of course with many player changes.

In Pitsburgh, Leyland was in 1st in 1990-92 and then in 5th in 93 and 95-96. 3rd in 94.

Gene Lamont was Pitts manager after Leyland in 1997-2000 with a 2nd, 6th, 3rd, and 5th place finish.

Lloyd McClendon was Pitts manager after Lamont in 2001-2005 with a 6th, 4th, 4th, 5th and 6th then he left to join Leyland in Det in 2006th.

As to Dave Dombrowski:
Prior to joining the Tigers, he served as the Florida Marlins president and general manager...named the Marlins first executive vice-president and general manager on September 19, 1991, and added the duties of president on March 1, 2000 as he became the third president in Marlins history.

David Dombrowski enters his sixth season with the Tigers after being named team president on November 5, 2001 and assuming the role of general manager on April 8, 2002.

So all this brainwork is DD and then Leylands!

laprimamirala wrote:

*gulp* Nate's getting traded?

That is what was the direction many thought Leyland was going... Actually it seems to be worse, the demotion type activity of Gala!

Leyland Sucks

laprimamirala wrote:

*gulp* Nate's getting traded?

I hope they don't trade Nate! Trade Bondo instread!!!!!

I guess this is baseball, but all the rumors/talks of trades/rapidity of trades would really freak me out as a player and not let me concentrate on winning games.

I agree

06/02/2008 2:15 PM ET
Rodney, Zumaya start rehab Tuesday
Pair of recovering Tigers relievers to begin stints in Minors
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

OAKLAND -- The countdown towards the return of Tigers relievers Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya can begin Tuesday, when the club will assign them on their Minor League rehabilitation stints.

The Tigers formally announced the plans Monday afternoon after the two relievers finished up their time in extended Spring Training, which ended on Saturday. Rodney will be sent to Triple-A Toledo, where he'll join the Mud Hens' bullpen for his first regular-season game action this year. Zumaya will pitch in relief for Class A Lakeland, at least to begin his assignment.

Once they begin pitching Tuesday, the Tigers can keep them on rehab for up to 30 days before they must be activated from the disabled list or moved. Since both have been pitching for the last couple weeks in extended spring games, they're not expected to need the full 30 days. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said over the weekend that they hope to have both of them back sometime this month, which would be a major boost for a Detroit club that has dealt with plenty of injuries this season.

The progress on both relievers has been encouraging for the club. Zumaya is ahead of schedule following surgery last fall to repair the A/C joint in his shoulder. Doctors originally expected him back no sooner than the All-Star break, but with no case history for the procedure among pitchers -- former Major League third baseman Ken Caminiti is the most prominent among the few big league players to have had it -- the timetable was a rough estimate.

Rodney has had a roller-coaster progression after tendinitis in his right shoulder sidelined him early in Spring Training. Several flare-ups prompted the Tigers to send him to Dr. James Andrews for a consultation and possible surgery, but Dr. Andrews found nothing to warrant an operation. Rodney has progressed back steadily since.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

06/03/2008 11:52 PM ET
Zumaya sharp in first rehab outing
Tigers setup man tosses two scoreless innings in Lakeland
By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Joel Zumaya tossed two innings of relief for Class A Lakeland on Tuesday night, throwing 24 pitches (18 for strikes) and topping out at 101 mph on the radar gun at Joker Marchant Stadium.

"It felt OK, still have that little hump I have to get over," he said. "I'm not quite there yet, but tonight was a very, very positive outing. It's been a while since I've thrown the ball like that."

Detroit's setup man last season, Zumaya is ahead of schedule after having surgery last fall to repair the A/C joint in his right shoulder.

The flamethrower was also hampered by injuries last year, as Zumaya appeared in just 28 games after surgery on his right middle finger. After missing more than three months, he finished 2-3 with a 4.28 ERA out of the Tigers bullpen.

"To hear that [radar speed] was real nice," a smiling Zumaya said, adding that he did not try to force his velocity. "I try not to look at the radar gun back there. I was just trying to throw strikes and get a feel for the mound.

"It's been almost a year since I've thrown off a mound with my finger situation and the shoulder. Other than that, it was just a matter of getting my legs adjusted to the mound and driving off like I usually do."

In his final extended spring outing on Saturday, Zumaya's fastball topped out around 97 mph, but was more often around 95. Although the Flying Tigers' radar may be several mph off, Zumaya's fastball was still humming enough to average 99 and stun Sarasota batters in the game's seventh and eighth innings.

After going 0-2 to his leadoff batter, Zumaya gave up a double down the right-field line -- the lone hit he allowed -- before retiring the side with a strikeout and a pair of groundouts in the seventh inning. Zumaya faced seven total batters, issuing one walk in the eighth inning.

Zumaya admitted that he didn't think extended spring work helped get him "game ready" and was relieved to receive the assignment to join Lakeland.

"It went pretty well today," he said. "So let's hope the next outing is just like it."

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said over the weekend that Zumaya would at least begin his assignment with the Flying Tigers, but could soon make the move up to Triple-A Toledo. If all goes well, the right-hander could rejoin the Major League club sometime this month.

For now, Zumaya said he has "no idea" of his future timetable, adding that he doesn't even receive specific pitching assignments until that day. He was, however, pleased with all of his pitches on Tuesday night, including his changeup, which Zumaya said he has been focused on improving all season.

Although doctors originally expected Zumaya back no sooner than the All-Star break, there is no case history for the procedure he underwent among pitchers, making the timetable more of a rough estimate.

"This injury, it took a lot out of me," Zumaya said. "I've been told by everybody, 'Don't rush back. Don't rush back, take your time,' and that's what I've been doing. And obviously I'm way [further] back then expected, but I've been following what I've had to do, and it's been working.

"A lot of people told me I probably wouldn't be able to go out and do what I did tonight. So I'm pretty pumped to be able and go back and be one of the guys."

Brittany Ghiroli is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

That's great news at last! We need you Zoom!
No more guitar hero, no more moving boxes yourself, no more washing the dishes, no more cleaning in your house, no more riding a bicycle, no more playing poker, no more golf, no more whatever. Everything too risky!
Just pitching allowed!

No more anything! well, okay, eating....

Morning Lap! You're always the first one to show up here.

Stupid insomnia! was awake at 3:45, fairly normal now!