Zumaya to DL

Tigers place pitcher Joel Zumaya on disabled list
By JON PAUL MOROSI • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • August 13, 2008


The Tigers placed reliever Joel Zumaya on the disabled list this morning, the Free Press has learned, one night after he failed to a record an out in Tuesday’s loss to Toronto.


The team is expected to call up right-hander Francis Beltran to take Zumaya’s roster spot.

Zumaya underwent a medical examination after Tuesday’s game, an ominous sign. He had reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder last off-season, and he was recently affected by pain in his upper arm.

“I can assure you, I’m not going to have Zumaya for a while, even if everything checks out all right,” Detroit manager Jim Leyland said late Tuesday night.

“All I know is there is a problem. Joel is not himself. I can see it in his face. I can see it in his demeanor.”

Asked how long Zumaya might be out, Leyland said, “Right now, I don’t feel comfortable pitching Joel. I’m not talking about because of results. I’m talking about because something is not right.

“It’s going to be next year until he gets back to 100%.”

Todd Jones is scheduled to return from the disabled list on Friday, so it appears that the team will need to make another roster move in the coming days.

Beltran, who was briefly called up to Detroit in April, has not allowed an earned run in his last nine appearances at Triple-A Toledo, dating back to July 11.

Free Press sports writer John Lowe contributed.

Why am I not suprised? Am I the only one who thought he came back to soon?

Ohios#1TigerFan wrote:

Why am I not suprised? Am I the only one who thought he came back to soon?

I said that, too! Why rush him back? The team was in terrible shape. Next we'll try and rush Bonderman back so that we don't miss the playoffs by as large a margin.

I cant wait till Friday, then Jonesy can be eligible to come back.

WE WANT JONES

catbox_9 wrote:

Ohios#1TigerFan wrote:

Why am I not suprised? Am I the only one who thought he came back to soon?

I said that, too! Why rush him back? The team was in terrible shape. Next we'll try and rush Bonderman back so that we don't miss the playoffs by as large a margin.

Honestly.....I don't want to see Bonderman on the mound again the rest of this year! I don't want him to come back prematurely and wind up in worse shape than he already is. Let him take his time recovering and bring him back next spring. Let the man get to 100% before putting him on the mound!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tigers' Zumaya: 'I felt like my arm exploded'
Lynn Henning / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- Wednesday's news was both disturbing and encouraging for Joel Zumaya and the Tigers as the 24-year-old reliever was placed on the 15-day disabled list after tearing scar tissue in his right (throwing) shoulder during Tuesday night's game at Comerica Park.

"Great news," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. "No problem with the rotator cuff, or elbow, or shoulder. That's a great relief for Joel."

Zumaya had not been as encouraged when he left Tuesday's game, a 6-4 loss to the Blue Jays, after he faced five batters and all five reached base.

"I felt like my arm exploded," Zumaya said of the fastball he threw for his final pitch before being removed by Leyland. "I blew a big chunk of it (scar tissue).

"I thought my career was over. I was trying to be a hero. I could have ended my career."

In words that echoed another recovering player, Gary Sheffield, who spoke Wednesday of his in-and-out pain and setbacks in 2008, Zumaya said he had not felt right since a pitch he threw that was hit for a home run in Baltimore on July 19.

Zumaya, though, said he believed he should pitch through the discomfort in a bid to help his team get back into contention.

When he left the mound Tuesday night, Zumaya was booed by Comerica Park's fans.

"I think it's pretty lame," Zumaya said. "I give it everything I've got."

Ohios#1TigerFan wrote:

catbox_9 wrote:

Ohios#1TigerFan wrote:

Why am I not suprised? Am I the only one who thought he came back to soon?

I said that, too! Why rush him back? The team was in terrible shape. Next we'll try and rush Bonderman back so that we don't miss the playoffs by as large a margin.

Honestly.....I don't want to see Bonderman on the mound again the rest of this year! I don't want him to come back prematurely and wind up in worse shape than he already is. Let him take his time recovering and bring him back next spring. Let the man get to 100% before putting him on the mound!

That definitely won't happen. Tigers won't take a chance pushing recovery from a life-threatening condition.

I wouldn't be surprised if Zoomy's HEAD exploded.....