The Return of Nate Robertson
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 27, 2009 8:45 AM EDT
in News
36 comments
Guess who's coming to pitch on Saturday?
The Detroit Tigers made a rather surprising announcement before yesterday's game, scheduling Nate Robertson as Saturday night's starter versus the Tampa Bay Rays. Whose spot will he take in the starting rotation? Armando Galarraga was optioned to Triple-A Toledo, in order to rest an inflamed right elbow.
Robertson has pitched well on his rehab assignment with the Mud Hens, posting a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings. Perhaps most impressive is the 21 strikeouts he's thrown versus four walks. Robertson's last appearance was surely the one that indicated to the Tigers he was fully recovered from elbow surgery. In a start on Tuesday, he allowed three hits in 6.2 shutout innings, adding nine strikeouts and two walks. Saturday will be the first start he's made for Detroit since September 24 last year.
Galarraga was originally scheduled to pitch on Friday, but with Thursday's off-day, the Tigers can push Rick Porcello up from Saturday. And since Robertson only threw 68 pitches on Tuesday, he can apparently go on three days of rest, instead of the usual four.
Why not just put Galarraga on the disabled list? As Jason Beck explains, optioning him to the minors allows him to be called up once rosters can expand on September 1. And since Galarraga's elbow trouble isn't so serious as to require a 15-day recovery, this gives the Tigers a chance to give him a shorter rest.
But wait, doesn't Galarraga have to spend 10 days in the minors? And wouldn't that mean he isn't eligible to be on a possible playoff roster? Well, it's a bit complicated, but the answer appears to be no.
To the best of my understanding (and Billfer's explanation of playoff eligibility has become invaluable in just two days), Galarraga can be on the playoff roster because he would replace an injured player. In this case, it would be Joel Zumaya, who's playoff-eligible because he's on the DL, but is out for the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery last week.
So if Robertson proves he can pitch capably, he'd likely be able to fill in at various spots in the rotation. That would allow the Tigers to reduce Porcello's workload, or perhaps give a short rest to Justin Verlander or Edwin Jackson, both of whom are nearing 200 innings.
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Go Nate!
And if you suck… we can always pick up Brad Penny.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Aug 27, 2009 9:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
that is what I was going to sayyyyyy
by allikazoo on Aug 27, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great minds, etc...
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Aug 27, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nate "I hope he's great" Robertson
On August 8th, the family and I made our first trip to Toledo – home base is Grand Rapids. Nate made the start that night…….he got shelled….allowing 5 runs in 1.2 innings. He looked horrible and he had a lot of trouble getting off the mound to field bunts. When I saw him pitch that night I thought I would never see him in the majors again. He didn’t even look like he belonged with the Whitecaps, so I was quite surprised to see he’s starting S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night.
August 8th box score:
His last two starts in Toledo have been outstanding, so I sure hope he’s turned things around. Most of all I hope he comes back with a better attitude. Every time I saw him pitch this year for the Tigers this year it just seemed he didn’t want to be there……maybe it was just the pain in the elbow……
It will be nice to have Mr. Gum Time back if he brings positive results.
by MSU4LIF on Aug 27, 2009 9:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Welcome back Tex
I’m stoked. For as much heartburn as he’s given me throughout his career, I’ve missed Nate. I hope he and Bondo can get healthy and contribute, if not this year, next year.
by ewild on Aug 27, 2009 9:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
as long as kid rick doesnt burn the pen....
Friday, this could be okay. Nate is motivated and from most accounts his last outing was great. Be nice to have another lefty to face pena. If he flames, well, hope miner is rested.
by rook34 on Aug 27, 2009 10:31 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
This is devistating news.
I’d like to think I was extremely apologetic for Nate before this season started, but he simply no longer has anything. I guess we’ll just have to see how he does….
by baum on Aug 27, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nate Robertson
I hope he does well, but I think it’s going to be the same as when D-Train and Bondo returned. meh
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
by Detroitchik on Aug 27, 2009 10:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He certainly deserves a shot
Here to hoping he’s got something to prove. Shut em down Nate!
by IowaLion on Aug 27, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully
he can get back to what he once was.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 27, 2009 11:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gum Time!!
I really do hope it was just the mass growing in his elbow that was causing his failings. If he can just pitch to No. 5 potential, that would be good enough for me.
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 27, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I am glad to see him "start".
I think he deserves the shot. Why not? If he sucks, we can bring in Minor and HE can walk the bases loaded. eh?
Tammy
by VegasTigers on Aug 27, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
bottom line
His contract isn’t going anywhere. What’s the harm in letting him go out and try to earn it?
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com
by rock n rye on Aug 27, 2009 11:29 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
RE: Brad Penny
all the other old timer pitchers that were available are doing pretty good. Pedro, Schmoltz, maybe we should look into Penny?
Tammy
by VegasTigers on Aug 27, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Penny will be fine in the NL
the AL requires actual ability.
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 27, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually
Dave Cameron at Fangraphs likes Penny in Detroit.
I can’t blame him. Penny’s not a bad starter, and Detroit’s defense will help him a lot.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Aug 27, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s nice that Dave Cameron, the be-all and end-all of debates, is excited about his secondary numbers and all, but the guy has not been an effective major league pitcher for two seasons now.
I suppose the investment is minimal and the 40-man roster move likely isn’t a big deal either, but some sort of belief that he’s suddenly going to be a decent pitcher, I can’t say I get.
The Tigers can throw a baseball and hit 10 guys who’ll do the same as him on ricochets.
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 27, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that sounded a bit too snarky
my point was, you’re good enough to make your own debates, DDbb, without needing to link to Cameron. (A guy who thought it was idiotic for the Tigers to trade a rookie for a guy with a FIP in the 3’s, but thinks it’s a terrific idea for them to sign a guy with a FIP almost 5.)
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 27, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay.
His FIP is roughly 4.50.
Assuming that Verlander/Jackson/Washburn stay our top three, here are the FIP’s of other fourth/fifth starters
Galaragga: 5.17
Porcello: 5.15
Robertson: projected at 4.83
Miner: 4.74
Tell me he wouldn’t be an improvement over that hot mess. He also allows us to shut down Porcello, or at least limit his innings. Penny also serves as a fallback starter in case of injury. Best of all- Boston’s on the hook for his salary.
And regarding Cameron- sure, he can be arrogant and his analysis is very biased toward Seattle (you don’t trade a marginal starter and a reliever in AA for an ace- we clearly weren’t valuing Washburn that way), but he’s a fairly smart guy.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Aug 27, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the thing
I am happy to look at FIPs and other saber stuff and find it has predictive ability. On the other hand, its predictive ability is best seen in the big picture and might not necessarily mean a thing in the short run.
Just because in the long run, BABIP’s should be .300 doesn’t mean a player won’t go an entire season allowing above his career average, or hitting below it. You figure the luck might even out, but you are not guaranteed the luck will even out.
Even then, you have a Red Sox front office with a couple of the game’s best saber-heads, and the Sox are more than happy to move on.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
Penny is a guy coming off an injury, pitching in the AL for the first time, who totally fell apart in the second half of the year and has the 7.82 ERA in the second half to show for it. His ERA is worse on the road than at Fenway, and his ERA at Fenway is ugly. And he gives up a boatload of base runners.
I am content to let that pass.
At best, at worst, whatever, it’s an inexpensive parallel move. It’s not going to break my heart if the Tigers sign him. I’m certainly no fan of Galarraga.
I just don’t think it’s going to matter one iota either way and don’t see the excitement.
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 27, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not really excietement
Just another viable option for a pitcher that might help us get into October.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Aug 27, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This move only benefits the Tigers...
Who are we moving out of the rotation for a bit? Armando. The man who has done nothing consistent for us besides begin the season really well. Who are we putting in his place? A left handed pitcher who has been consistent in his Tigers career who got a medical issue taken care, doesn’t like being in the bullpen, and is playing for a contract (I think, maybe thats next year?). So essentially we’re replacing a guy who we don’t know what we’re gonna get with a guy who we don’t know what we’re gonna get but has at least been consistent in the minors. If Nate doesn’t work out for a start, we can give someone else a shot at the next one. It’s not like we’re losing anything, but we could possibly gain a left handed pitcher. I stress the left handed part because Washburn hasn’t exactly pitched like he was trade worthy and a left hander only benefits the rotation.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
by madpoopz on Aug 27, 2009 11:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
you forgot the asterisk
Consistent in the minors except for the game mentioned above, where he gave up 5 runs in 1.2 innings.
D Train came up with great fanfare after one good start in the minors. Nate’s at least got two under his belt. But then again, he hasn’t shown any ability to get major league batters out since 2006. Kinda like Bill Hall, in that he had a good 2006, got a great contract out of it, and then started stinking up the joint immediately afterwards.
I hope Nate does well, but I’m not going to be cheering for him, per se. The attitude he was carrying around earlier this year, refusing assignment, when he had zero capability of getting anybody out, that rubbed me the wrong way.
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
by ahtrap on Aug 27, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree...
I’m not a fan of his attitude either, but I’m not suggesting he comes in to be a top of the rotation guy like he was in the past in this rotation. For one start, what are we gonna lose? The choice to pitch would probably be an inconsistent zach minor or an inconsistent nate robertson. Once again, at least nate is a lefty pitcher who you’ll probably get 5 innings from.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
by madpoopz on Aug 27, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've always liked Nate
and I’m sure hoping he does well.
by TigerMom on Aug 27, 2009 12:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't know if he will do well (obviously) ...
…but I sure hope he does. As much stress as I’ve gotten from Nate Robertson, I like him and would like to see him successful.
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." -- Philo of Alexandria
(Currently, and sadly, on a self-imposed team-specific puck sabbatical.)
by Baroque on Aug 27, 2009 12:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bad Example Ian
Actually, now that Joel Zumaya has been moved off the 40 man and onto the 60 day DL, he could not be replaced on the playoff roster. There are, however, a number of pitchers that could be replaced.
Figaro, Willis, and Bonderman are all currently on the DL. Figaro and Bonderman are both currently in rehab assignments and may have to be assigned before the end of the year. That makes it seem most likely that Galarraga would be taking Dontrelle’s spot on the roster.
by The Nicker on Aug 27, 2009 12:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Based on Bill’s research, which he says he confirmed with the Tigers, Galarraga would be eligible to take Zumaya’s place and the 40-man roster doesn’t have anything to do with it.
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 27, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A couple things
As a point of clarification Joel Zumaya has not been removed from the 40 man roster. He is still on the 40 man roster, but his 60 day dl status means he just doesn’t count against the total. For him to be removed from the roster he would have needed to have been unconditionally released, designated for assignment, or traded. As such, he is eligible for the post season roster and because he is injured the Tigers could sub for him.
As for rehab, Bonderman will likely be activated, this is true. With Willis and Figaro I believe that the minor league seasons will end before their rehabs expire. I honestly don’t know the ruling on this and whether or not the clock keeps ticking and they have to bring them up at either the 30 day mark or the end of the minor league season or if the rehab assignment is suspended at that point meaning that the player just remains on the dl and doesn’t need to be activated.
by billfer on Aug 27, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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