Zumaya is On the Way

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 17, 2008 2:21 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

I was under the impression that an important step in Joel Zumaya's rehabilitation was being able to pitch in back-to-back games before returning to the majors. After one inning of work last night with Triple-A Toledo, in which he struck out two batters and gave up an unearned run on two hits, the Tigers decided that Zumaya wouldn't pitch in the Mud Hens' game this afternoon, preferring him to throw a bullpen session instead. If all goes well, Zumaya will presumably proceed as planned and join the Tigers in San Diego this weekend.

My immediate thought was that maybe Detroit wanted Zumaya with the big league club sooner after Fernando Rodney's disastrous eighth inning last night against the Giants. But rationality came to me a few seconds later with the realization that the Tigers probably didn't want Zumaya to have to pitch in a day game right after throwing the night before. Today's Mud Hens game started at noon.

In other rehab assignments, Gary Sheffield played designated hitter with Single-A Lakeland last night. Batting third for the Flying Tigers, Sheffield went 0-for-2, with one walk and one run scored.

UPDATE: According to Joe Vardon of the Toledo Blade, Zumaya is already on his way to San Diego. After throwing a 14-pitch bullpen session, Zumaya showered, left the ballpark, and told reporters he was leaving on a jet plane.

On his way from the clubhouse, Zumaya told The Blade the Tigers "gave me the call and told me to meet them in San Diego." Zumaya, who is originally from southern California, said he was on his way to the airport.

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I cant wait to see him pitch. I was hoping they would hold off until next Tuesday at home since i have tickets, but ill be more than happy to see him against the padres. It seems like when he comes into a game at home, there is a momentum sift in our favor once the crowd gets into hit. I just hope he is ready. I herd he hit triple digits already in Toledo, but you have to wonderif they are rushing him back? They were saying that we would be lucky if he played at all this year.

by Soper on Jun 17, 2008 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

Cant wait to see him get back! love his intensity…

by PBURGTIGER on Jun 17, 2008 7:00 PM EDT reply actions

kinda bummed.. but got to talk to him

it is my birthday today, i traveled from grand haven to toledo today to see him pitch (and see the beautiful fifth third field). when we got there we got to see him doing his bullpen session, which at the time thought he was just stretching out. afterwards he signed a few autographs and then then said to those of us standing nearby “I gotta go, I have a plane to catch”. I wasn’t sure of it until the 7th, 8th and 9th inning came and went with no more sightings of joel. He looks very healthy, probably lost about 20-30 pounds and has added quite a bit of ink to his flamed tattoo arsenal. i have a picture i took of him and a video if anybody is interested, I’ll post it on my blog.

by THE_J on Jun 17, 2008 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

Please do

That’s a side of the story we don’t often think about. Lost in the excitement of Zumaya leaving Toledo and catching a plane to San Diego is the disappointment fans who hoped to see Zumaya have to deal with.

Thanks for that post. And post your photo and/or video in the FanShots section.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 12:51 AM EDT reply actions