Rotation shuffle

With today’s rain out, the Tigers have changed their rotation, or have they demoted Zach Miner to the bullpen?

The two different stories have a different feel to be sure. First though, the upcoming pitchers are: Galarraga, Verlander, Jackson, Porcello. That’s what we know for sure. The Tigers are effectively skipping Rick Porcello this turn through the rotation. And with an off day Thursday, and another off day on Monday, Galarraga is expected to start the Tuesday game in LAAnaheim. Which means Zach Miner is being skipped in the next turn through the rotation.

I really think this is more a matter of maximizing the starts for the Verlander/Galarraga/Jackson triumvirate than it is a relegation of Zach Miner to the bullpen. Miner wasn’t good on Monday, but not many pitchers were good in that weather and I can’t see that as a reason for him to lose a spot in the rotation. But…who knows what will happen between now and the next time the team needs a 5th starter.

6 thoughts on “Rotation shuffle”

  1. I’m guessing it’s just trying to maximize the starts of who they deem their top 3 starters. That said, I wouldn’t be shocked if it meant it was a demotion of Miner. I feel like he’s slept with someone’s wife with the way he’s been handled by the Tigers.

  2. This move adds an extra arm in the pen over the next week… wouldn’t want to do this with Verlander, Jackson, Porcello or Galarraga. This has more to do with Miner’s experience as a relief pitcher then a “demotion”.

  3. Reliever, starter…whats the dif besides workload? It is and should be seen as a demotion of sorts. Or at least that is the way he is going to take it, it is how Nate has. Although, Miner hasn’t lately (in quotes) seemed as upset as Nate did at the end of this past Spring Training.

  4. I agree it’s just maximizing the best 3 starters(Verlander, Jackson, Gallaraga) starts. And the organization has stated that Porcello is a starting pitcher no matter what. This saves a few innings on his arm early in the season.

    I’d love to see Bonderman back in mid May or early June healthy, that could be a big boost. Any body seen any thing on his status lately?

  5. When we opened up the season with 10 straight games I thought the pen would be in complete disarray by game 8. Not many may agree, but so far, I think Leyland has managed the pitching staff quite well.

  6. It’s good to skip Porcello’s starts when you can since he’s on a strict innings limit. In the event that he ends up being the real deal, I’d like to see him pitching down the stretch rather than in April.

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