Reliever Reinforcements Are Suddenly Required

Before this afternoon's game, the Detroit Tigers did a little bit of roster shuffling, bringing up a player who can hopefully help out right away, and sending down someone who just hasn't been able to get any playing time. 

Francis Beltran got the call from Triple-A Toledo, while Ryan Raburn - who's essentially been an invisible man thus far for Detroit - takes the trip down I-75 to join the Mud Hens.  Raburn's only action of the season thus far was pinch-running for Miguel Cabrera in the bottom of the ninth yesterday.  With Brandon Inge still being on the Tigers' roster (something I think everyone following the Tigers can be grateful for right now) and Clete Thomas playing as if he has no intention of being sent back to the minors, Raburn got squeezed out.

One immediate thought might be that Beltran's arrival is a reaction to Jason Grilli's seventh inning blowout yesterday, but according to the Detroit Free Press, the move is a sign that things aren't looking so good for Fernando Rodney.  During his bullpen session yesterday in Lakeland, Rodney had to stop throwing because he felt pain in his shoulder.  The Tigers' medical staff will wait a few days to see if he can throw again, but it's quite clear Rodney won't be rejoining the Detroit bullpen very soon.

The Tigers put Beltran to work right away, pitching him in the seventh and eighth innings, during which he gave up one run on a homer by Jermaine Dye.  Last season with Triple-A Norfolk in the Baltimore Orioles' organization, the right-handed Beltran pitched in 47 games, posting a 2-9 record and 4.70 ERA, along with 47 strikeouts in 59 innings.

 (via D-Town Baseball)