Why Tigers bullpen is in rough shape

Subject: Why Tigers bullpen is in rough shape Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:11 am

Analysis: Why Tigers' pen is in such rough shape
April 6, 2008

Dave Dombrowski built the pitching staff that two seasons ago led the majors in ERA.

Last season, some of those pitchers weren't as healthy or as effective. So Dombrowski, the Tigers' president/general manager, tinkered in the off-season. He traded for durable Dontrelle Willis. He added relievers Denny Bautista and Francisco Cruceta and invited veteran Matt Mantei to camp.

All along, Tigers officials slotted Fernando Rodney, presumably healthy after a winter of encouraging medical reports, as the setup man. They expected Tim Byrdak to remain a dependable late-inning lefty.

They couldn't know that Rodney would be idled -- indefinitely -- by tendinitis in his right shoulder.

They couldn't know that Byrdak would struggle in spring training and be released.

They couldn't know that even the insurance policies wouldn't work. Cruceta remains in the Dominican Republic because of a visa issue, and Mantei retired after more shoulder trouble.

A shorthanded bullpen doesn't fully explain Detroit's 0-5 start. But it certainly hasn't helped.

The fallout continued Saturday, when the Tigers summoned right-hander Francis Beltran from Triple-A Toledo to become their 13th pitcher. Ryan Raburn, the versatile infielder/outfielder, was sent out to make room.

The primary motivation for the move was discouraging news about Rodney's bullpen session on Friday. Kevin Rand, the team's head athletic trainer, said Rodney stopped throwing after five minutes because of shoulder discomfort. Rodney is now scheduled to resume treatment, with the goal of throwing again in a few days.

"We'll try it one more time," Rand said. "If that doesn't work, we'll have him re-evaluated."

Rodney has already had an MRI exam this spring. He has been examined more than once by a team physician. His shoulder doesn't have apparent structural damage, but he's not improving.

Rodney's injury amplifies that the team's off-season bullpen planning had, in many respects, hinged on his health.

When the Tigers put five young pitchers in the trades for Miguel Cabrera, Willis and Edgar Renteria, it was OK, because Rodney was going to be healthy.

When reliever Randor Bierd, a farm-system standout, was left unprotected and then lost in the Rule 5 draft to Baltimore, it was OK, because Rodney was going to be healthy.

When free agents Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink signed with the White Sox, it was OK, because Rodney was going to be healthy.

"We thought he was going to be fine," Dombrowski said Saturday.

Rand said: "I didn't go into spring training expecting Fernando Rodney to have shoulder problems."

As long as Rodney is out, this on-the-fly bullpen makeover is likely to continue. Leyland said Saturday that he would like to add a second left-handed reliever. That lefty could be Aaron Fultz, signed to a Triple-A contract a week ago. And Leyland indicated one or more current relievers could go even before a lefty arrives.

"I'll lay it right on the line," Leyland said. "I'm not going to sugarcoat stuff. Some people have to step up who are getting opportunities -- and I'm not talking about anybody in particular.

"The guys that do the best will probably stay. The guys that do the worst will probably go. It's that simple."