Is Miner Still in the Fifth Starter Race?

by Ian Casselberry on Mar 25, 2009 9:00 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

MLive.com's Steve Kornacki wonders if Zach Miner is still in the mix for that fifth starter's job, between the 3.1 scoreless innings he pitched today and Nate Robertson's thumb injury (the prognosis on which will be reported tomorrow).

But what if Robertson's swollen left thumb takes more than a week to heal?

What if Jeremy Bonderman needs more time to ramp up his velocity?

And what if Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland and general manager Dave Dombrowski decided rookie Rick Porcello needs more seasoning in the minors?

But I don't think it's a coincidence that Miner started pitching better after being told he wouldn't be in the starting rotation. Something seems to have clicked in his head or loosened his shoulders. Maybe it's that he stopped "over-thinking," as Leyland thinks. Or maybe he just chilled out after knowing where he stood. (Miner basically says as much in Kornacki's article.)

Sitting here at my computer (in my pajamas, of course), I'm probably not in the position to question anyone's mental toughness. Especially when I've come nowhere close to competing at the major league level. But crumbling under expectations was a big problem for last year's Tigers team, so I get kind of antsy when I see signs of it creeping up again.

What do you folks think? A little bit of overreaction? And does Miner really still have a shot at the starting rotation?

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Sure

If the above scenarios play out. He’s gonna be in the bullpen, we already know that and Willis is “probably” pitching Sunday. Leyland says 5 guys are gonna be cut by tomorrow morning. I bet at least 6 or 7 Tigers won’t sleep a minute on this night. Heartbreak Hotel for some of them tomorrow.

by densogirl on Mar 25, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

he's not

unless the apocalypse strikes the rotation.

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Mar 25, 2009 9:47 PM EDT reply actions

You may have something here Ian. Remember in ‘07 Miner was all "I’m gonna show the old man what I can do" and pitched well but then faded.

Bottom line is he’s pitched like garbage this spring but the very fact that he’s breathing and can at least throw a strike means he has a shot if Nate and Bondo aren’t ready. After a few starts I even questioned whether he’d earn a spot in the bullpen and he at the very least calmed those concers today.

by MacRae on Mar 25, 2009 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not sure who's going to end up starting...

but the rotation scares me, Miner or no Miner. (Other than Verlander, of course)

waynefontes.com

by BigAl on Mar 25, 2009 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

Miner will have same role he’s had in the past. If injuries strike he’ll be the guy they call on to eat some starts. I was with MacRae there for the beginning of spring but he has pitched well of late and he was a serviceable fill in years past.

BigAl, Edwin and Armando scare you too? I actually feel safest with Edwin right now because I know more of what we’ll get out of him. As opposed to Verlander, we don’t know if we’ll get the 2006 JV or the 2008 JV. His stubbornness to change in years past frustrated me, but I know he has been working intently with Knapp all Spring. Hopefully last year’s 17 loss was a wake up call. (my college coach worked with Verlander in the Olympics before he came up with the Tigers and he said Verlander was a VERY VERY arrogant, stubborn, unreceptive to coaching kid.) I’m sure he’s matured.

by Detroit4lyfe on Mar 26, 2009 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Actually, yes...

As Galarraga and Jackson need to prove they are more than one season wonders. They are far from being sure things.

When it comes to Jackson, though he did win 14 games, his peripherals were nothing to get excited about. Can he throw strikes consistently?

In regards to Galarraga, did he pitch over his head last season, as he had never pitched that well in the past, or did he finally figure it out?

waynefontes.com

by BigAl on Mar 26, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think Miner will start unless both Bonderman and Robertson are unable to pitch at the beginning of the season.

by LPanas on Mar 25, 2009 11:24 PM EDT reply actions

Miner

Depending on how serious Nate’s thumb injury is, yeah I can see Miner still being in the race for the 5th starter spot.

I still think though if Nate is healthy, he is gonna be the guy. And I wouldn’t read too much into Dontrelle pitching well in his last outing. He could still end up being released like Damion Easley was a few years back.

If I had to guess, it will be Robertson or Miner with Rick Porcello sent down and told to keep his cell phone on him at all times for the quick trip to Detroit.

by Todd1005fm on Mar 26, 2009 8:34 AM EDT reply actions

Why Would Willis....

….Be released?……Robertson could just as easily be released…..he was on his way to a horrible outting yesterday…..bases loaded in 1st….Id say I was injured too….all that put aside…..Willis will be the 5th starter….Robertson is done in Detroit.

by BennieBladesFan on Mar 26, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Dont Forget Everyone....

…..That Willis shut down the All Star Venezula Team in a game that didnt count against team stats……While Robertson Struggled……That was a huge performace.

by BennieBladesFan on Mar 26, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions