So I guess that elbow thing is pretty serious. Mike Maroth has been placed on the 15 day DL and Chris Spurling has been recalled. Presumably Roman Colon or possibly Jason Grilli will become the 5th starter for the next couple weeks, with Spurling back-filling the bullpen.
There aren’t many details yet, but Maroth had been scheduled to visit with a doctor today. Presumably the news wasn’t good.
This is disappointing, and not from a “can the Tigers get by” perspective. Mike Maroth endured quite a bit during that 2003 season, and personally I really wanted him to continue his early season success. I was hoping this would be his redemption year.
As for Spurling, after a couple rough outings initially in Toledo he has been lights out.
Well, at least it’s not straight to the 60 day DL. That’s at least somewhat hopeful.
This is indeed terrible news. Let’s just hope it isn’t too serious and Maroth just needs time off to heal.
Considering Leyland’s comments that he wouldn’t move Colon into the rotation, I don’t understand the Spurling call up at all. Why not give Tata a chance to log meaningful innings in the bigs? He’s already proven that he wouldn’t be in over his head, and it seems to me that the experience would be valuable. From all accounts he isn’t the type to get overly discouraged if he experiences a rough outing or two.
I really hope they give Zumaya a start or two. I know he’s been awesome in the pen, but he deserves a chance to show what he can do.
On the other hand, if this is a prolonged injury, Zumaya is not a good choice. We need to keep his IP low so he’s not tired for the September-October. (I can’t believe I just wrote that about a Tigers pitcher).
Presumably Maroth will come back at some point which means whoever replaces him in the lineup will be sent back down. I’m guessing that whoever that is will have to clear waivers and maybe they don’t want to expose Tata to the chance of getting claimed by another team.
Does that make sense or am I talking out of my butt?
He’s too important, long-term, to move him into the rotation due to an injury. He’s either ready to be part of the rotation or he’s not. My understanding is that his third pitch isn’t ready for prime-time yet. You just can’t be successful through a lineup twice without having three major league pitches, regardless of how fast you can throw.
I disagree with throwing Zumaya in for a few starts. Like Papelbon, who came up as a starter, I think they both belong in the pen at least for the duration of 2006. I think Detroit and Boston would be making a mistake to lift them from the pen for a few starts. As Jeff points out, Zumaya is a two-pitch pitcher right now and he cannot get by with just two as a starter. In the future, he may very well become a dominant three-pitch starter, but for now, we need him as a bullpen ace.
Re: Maroth – I, too, really hope he comes back and continues his success. Not as much from a Tigers doing well standpoint, though that is great too, but for the same reason as you given what he has gone through.
Mike Maroth to the DL with the toughest part of the schedule coming up? Eek! I agree, Maroth has more than paid his dues with this team and he deserves some success.