Willis, Garcia set to start next week vs. Texas

09/09/2008 5:01 PM ET
Willis, Garcia set to start next week
Injured pitchers will take the mound in series vs. Texas
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

DETROIT -- Dontrelle Willis' long road back to the big leagues has reached its goal -- a start back in the big leagues. For that matter, so has the road back from surgery for Freddy Garcia.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland announced Tuesday that both Willis and Garcia will start during the club's three-game series next week at Texas. Willis will start Monday's series opener, while Garcia will pitch the series finale on Wednesday.

For Willis, it'll be his first start since June 9, when he gave up eight runs on three hits and walked five against Cleveland while recording just four outs. The Tigers optioned Willis to Class A Lakeland after that outing to work with his delivery and hopefully iron out his command.

It has been a long track of Minor League starts and side work since, but after a pair of simulated games in Detroit over the past week and a half, Leyland and other club officials felt he was ready to take the hill for the Tigers again.

"I'm all for it," said Leyland, who made the decision after talking with Willis and Garcia on Tuesday afternoon. "I think he's throwing the ball good. And we'll see how it plays out."

Willis was understandably thrilled at the news.

"I'm really excited," he said. "[It's been] a lot of hard work."

Leyland tried to downplay the importance of the outing, so as not to put too much pressure on Willis in his road back. He emphasized that Willis and Garcia would likely both get one more start each before the season is over.

The Tigers signed Garcia to a Minor League contract last month with the idea of getting a look at him for next year, though he'll be a free agent this winter. He made three Minor League starts before coming to Detroit and working out with pitching coach Chuck Hernandez. He, too, pitched in two simulated games before getting the assignment.

The Tigers will purchase his contract from Toledo prior to his outing.

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

LET's HOPE D-TRAIN IS BACK ON TRACK!!

laprimamirala wrote:

LET's HOPE D-TRAIN IS BACK ON TRACK!!

He better be! We need more leftys in the rotation.