According to various reports, the Detroit Tigers were one of 10 teams who watched pitcher Kelvim Escobar throw yesterday. (Here is Jon Paul Morosi's Tweet on the story. Efrain Zavarce, who writes for the Venezuelan newspaper El Nacional, originally posted this news.)
Escobar pitched in only one game for the Los Angeles Angels this year, after missing the entire 2008 season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. In that start (which happened to be against the Tigers at Comerica Park), Escobar allowed two runs and four hits in five innings, and struck out five.
But he also walked four batters, which indicated that his recovery wasn't quite complete. Sure enough, the injured shoulder gave Escobar problems soon thereafer and he was shut down for the rest of the season.
In 2007, Escobar had what could arguably be called a breakthrough season, compiling an 18-7 record and 3.40 ERA in 30 starts (195.2 innings) for the Angels. In 2002, he posted a 38-save season while with the Blue Jays, but he's been pitching as a starter ever since then. But he's now a pitcher who's played only once in the past two seasons.
Last year, Escobar made $9.5 million in the final year of a three-year, $28.5 million contract.
(via MLB Trade Rumors)