In a spring that started with news before the season even began that Curt Schilling would be out for the majority if not all of the season, Yovani Gallardo would probably miss a month with arthroscopic knee surgery, and Brandon McCarthy would be out indefinitely with elbow problems, things have gone from bad to worse.
Staff anchor Philip Hughes had a nightmarish April and is now sitting on the DL as well. Gallardo returned quickly and effectively from surgery only to blow out his knee on the basepaths. He's out for the season. Cliff Lee, coming off of a forgettable 2007, was traded after one start for Edwin Jackson and now leads MLB in ERA, but for Oakland. Jackson, meanwhile, seemingly gets to start every turn against either the Yankees or Red Sox and has struggled mightily of late. Two minor leaguers appeared to be possibilities to help soon, but both Fernando Nieve and Jake McGee have struggled after quick starts and now fashion ERAs over five in AAA and AA, respectively.
The bullpen has felt the effects of the rotation's struggles. With the 2008 season in the tank as a result of four-fifths of the rotation going down, management has used key relievers as pieces to add future hope. Jason Isringhausen, Manny Acosta and David Weathers, the three key relievers on the roster, have all been dealt for prospects or waived.
There have been positives. Daryl Thompson has been one of the most dominant starting pitchers in the minors and is flashing quality stuff. Leo Nunez has been one of the more effective setup men in the AL and looks to be a solid piece in the pen. Matt Torra and Julio Pimentel have made successful transitions to AA and could impact the staff relatively soon. And Jose Ascanio, Jason Motte and Zech Zinicola have turned powerful arms into up and coming bullpen careers.
And Detroit has found promising additions in Dae Eun Rhee, Edward Cegarra and Kelvin de la Cruz, as well as several interesting relief arms, and traded for big arms Jose Ceda and Henry Sosa.
Rough spring for Tigers staff
Moderator: Rangers