In some news on the minor league front today, Tigers hot prospects Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya both are on the move. Danny Knobler, Tigers beat writer sums up the moves for the two young pitchers:
Verlander pitches Monday for Erie, and then (almost certainly) next Saturday at Comerica in the day-night DH vs. Twins.
Both Verlander and Zumaya have been very impressive this year in the minor league ranks. Zumaya has gone 8-3 with a 2.77 ERA for Erie in 18 starts this season. Verlander has split time between class A Lakeland and Erie, and has been dominant at both locations. In Lakeland he struck out 104 while only walking 19, compiling a 9-2 record.
The supposed start versus the Twins will be Verlander's second start of the season for the big league club. On July 4th against Cleveland Justin pitched 5.1 innings and gave up 4 runs, striking out 4.
The Tigers have big plans for this duo, and it seems as if the front office has confidence in Verlander now. They are certainly showing faith in Verlander's abilities and must believe that they are not causing any detriment to his career by rushing him to the bigs.