Leyland Handles Bondo with Caution

by Ian Casselberry on Feb 26, 2009 2:00 PM EST in News Comment 6 comments

Remember when Jim Leyland said this a few days ago?

"I'd say right off the top of my head, we're going to be more cautious," Leyland said. "If you see somebody pushed back a day or something like that, don't get alarmed."

So we shouldn't be alarmed that Jeremy Bonderman has been scratched from his start on Saturday, due to a stiff shoulder, right? No red flags on this one?

"There's no red flags here," Leyland said.

Alrighty then. With a longer Spring Training schedule, thanks to the World Baseball Classic, Leyland and his staff decided to hold some players back if it looked like they needed a rest. Bonderman and Joel Zumaya may as well have been highlighted in orange when Leyland revealed this plan. Sure enough, Bondo is the first, shall we say, beneficiary of this cautious approach.

Bonderman won't be sitting out entirely, however. He'll throw instead in a simulated game where coaches can monitor him closely and control his pitch count exactly. (30, if you're counting. 15 for each inning.) And if all goes according to plan, Bondo will be back on schedule in his regular rotation spot. (Though Leyland wouldn't commit to that, pending Saturday's results.)

Still, I kind of want to raise a red flag.

"But there are no red flags here," said Leyland. "This is just a precautionary measure."

Okay, okay - no flags. We're putting the flag away. You're the boss, Jimmy.

Jon Kibler, the big lefty from Michigan State, will get the start on Saturday instead.

# # #

Today's parenthetical thought (without parentheses): Wouldn't simulated games be some great mid-day programming for MLB Network during the day?

Simulated games! From 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., it's Jeremy Bonderman for the Tigers. After that, we'll have Bartolo Colon for the White Sox. Followed by Pedro Martinez, wherever he ends up. Simulated games! Kind of like real games, but simulated! Only on MLB Network!

They could even have Victor Rojas and Al Leiter do the play-by-play. (Not Harold Reynolds, because MLBN has already given us a bit too much of him. Simma down now, H.R.)

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Manager Barbrady

by explosivo2k2 on Feb 26, 2009 8:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nicely done.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Feb 26, 2009 9:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bondo, Tiggers, and ....Harold Reynolds?

Bondo is a competitor and I like that he was pissed even though it’s just a measly Spring Training game. When I heard the news I was a little nervous because obviously anytime you have a guy who is coming off surgery, you don’t want to see set backs such as this (if you view this as a setback—I mean he is missing a game because of it). The fact that he is throwing still, “in a more controlled setting,” makes me feel a little better. I still don’t have that warm fuzzy feeling in my stomach.

I was happy with the Tiggers pitching today. Zumaya and Porcello’s early struggles are understandable. I’m sure they were both jacked up and there were a lot of keen eyes on those two in particular. As for Nate, most of the outs he got were ground outs (including Adam “I never hit grounders” Dunn). I’d bet that had he pitched 5-7 IP it would have been a very quality outing.

Where was our hitting? I don’t know much those pitchers for the Nats (besides Ledezma) but 2 hits is weak, but I guess that’s going to happen. I’m happy Adam Everett got a hit.

As for Harold Reynolds… I’m surprised MLB Network hired a couple decent looking females for him to work with since he’s basically their selling point. Isn’t that like hanging a ho ho on a fishing line over a fat kid’s head? I hope he doesn’t need a hug.
In all seriousness, MLB Network has a done a a great job so far from what I have seen.

Keep up the good work here, Ian.

by Detroit4lyfe on Feb 26, 2009 8:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nothing to see here???? Are you Krazy????

Kibler is pitching on Saturday!!!!!!!!

Got my fantasy baseball magazine and ordered Sept. 28th Tiger tix today (1984 anniversary game).

PLAY BALL!!!!

by MSU4LIF on Feb 27, 2009 12:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Tigers-Nationals

I too would have liked to have seen more than two hits from the Tiger bats, but I’m with Leyland: if we can hold teams to two runs a game, I like our chances more times than not.

The irony of a 2-1 game is the wind was actually blowing OUT to right center field at game time. But I would much rather see a 2-1 game than a 12-11 game at this point.

Speaking of pitching, how about the job Edwin Jackson did yesterday?? Three strikeouts in two innings with no runs and no hits, only one walk. Very nice debut Edwin. Now let’s see you do that in April.

by Todd1005fm on Feb 27, 2009 6:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Jackson

Did look pretty good. As far as Bondo, I’m a little worried. They must think something is wrong to hold him out. I mean he could pitch one inning you’d think. Maybe his control is off. Who knows? Seems like if he can throw a side session, he could pitch one inning.

And, Harold Reynolds is my absolute favorite on MLB Network.

by densogirl on Feb 27, 2009 7:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs