He'll undergo surgery Thursday in New York. The projected timetable would put him on track for a return around late July -- not good, but at least giving him time to make a difference down the stretch if he comes back healthy.
It's a tough break for the Zoomer and for the club.
We have talked about his violent delivery and mechanics before and I guess we shouldn't be too surprised that something "blew out". Still, that is an injury (at least in how it happened) that I have never heard of before.
I think he will have a difficult time when he gets back. Given his youth and his demeanor he is going to have a tough time readjusting I think. I supect it will tend to inhibit his fastball somewhat, at least for awhile.
But you never know--he may come back with enough change on his grip or release to present a new pitch for hitters to deal with. Just a minor change can sometimes create a whole new movement on the ball.
3 months means we are going to see a starter called up (provided Mesa, Rodney and Jones hold the fort in the late innings). I supect they will call up Vasquez and put him in the bullpen to educate himself out there.
The bullpen catchers can take the sponge out of their mitts now that Joel is gone. Man, how would you like to warm that guy up?
BTW, Jason, who are the bullpen catchers? They don't get enough credit for the job they do.
Day off today means we gotta pull for the Pistons and the Wings tonight.
Curtis almost got the Cycle the other day---he mighta had it if DeJesus doesn't get to his ball in the 1st inning.
Good luck Joel. We're pullin' for ya' and feelin' for ya' too bud.
Scott Pickens is the bullpen catcher. And you're right. Bullpen catchers do a lot of work for usually not a lot of money.
This is actually a lesser amount of time on the DL than I had anticipated so, if all goes as planned, I'm kind of relieved, so to speak. I was thinking today about what kind of pitcher he'd be upon his return. You know, if he were to lose a little on the fastball, there's still nothing wrong with a guy that brings it at about 96 mph with location, mixed with a good breaking ball. That's more than enough weapons for a short reliever.
Say, I don't suppose there's any way to get the surgical name of the procedure being done? I work in health care and would be very interested in that.
Good questions on the mailbag today, most of 'em anyway. Jason, you'll have to watch who you're patting on the back. ol' buddy. :-)
If the Tigers were to call anyone up in the wake of Monday's news, I would guess De La Cruz. He has experience relieving, he's racking up strikeouts over his last couple starts, and he's the one guy with a power fastball who's anywhere close to being ready.
It's a tough break for the Zoomer and for the club.
We have talked about his violent delivery and mechanics before and I guess we shouldn't be too surprised that something "blew out". Still, that is an injury (at least in how it happened) that I have never heard of before.
I think he will have a difficult time when he gets back. Given his youth and his demeanor he is going to have a tough time readjusting I think. I supect it will tend to inhibit his fastball somewhat, at least for awhile.
But you never know--he may come back with enough change on his grip or release to present a new pitch for hitters to deal with. Just a minor change can sometimes create a whole new movement on the ball.
3 months means we are going to see a starter called up (provided Mesa, Rodney and Jones hold the fort in the late innings). I supect they will call up Vasquez and put him in the bullpen to educate himself out there.
The bullpen catchers can take the sponge out of their mitts now that Joel is gone. Man, how would you like to warm that guy up?
BTW, Jason, who are the bullpen catchers? They don't get enough credit for the job they do.
Day off today means we gotta pull for the Pistons and the Wings tonight.
Curtis almost got the Cycle the other day---he mighta had it if DeJesus doesn't get to his ball in the 1st inning.
Good luck Joel. We're pullin' for ya' and feelin' for ya' too bud.
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Scott Pickens is the bullpen catcher. And you're right. Bullpen catchers do a lot of work for usually not a lot of money.
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This is actually a lesser amount of time on the DL than I had anticipated so, if all goes as planned, I'm kind of relieved, so to speak. I was thinking today about what kind of pitcher he'd be upon his return. You know, if he were to lose a little on the fastball, there's still nothing wrong with a guy that brings it at about 96 mph with location, mixed with a good breaking ball. That's more than enough weapons for a short reliever.
Say, I don't suppose there's any way to get the surgical name of the procedure being done? I work in health care and would be very interested in that.
Good questions on the mailbag today, most of 'em anyway. Jason, you'll have to watch who you're patting on the back. ol' buddy. :-)
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If the Tigers were to call anyone up in the wake of Monday's news, I would guess De La Cruz. He has experience relieving, he's racking up strikeouts over his last couple starts, and he's the one guy with a power fastball who's anywhere close to being ready.
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