Octavio Dotel seems primed for the DL

Octavio Dotel's elbow remains tender. We first learned more than a week ago that he was experiencing pain not long after warmup pitch after warmup pitch was sent flying from the Tigers' bullpen in Oakland into the outfield, causing delays in the game.

That was April 12 -- 10 days ago. Dotel actually pitched that game, allowed no hits and issued no walks. Five days later in Seattle Dotel walked one and gave up a hit. Two days later in Anaheim, Dotel's luck left: four hits, a walk, five runs allowed, all in less than an inning on the mound. Dotel has not pitched since then.

We learned Sunday Dotel would not have been available because of continued discomfort in his elbow. (That, by the way, is why Tigers manager Jim Leyland left Phil Coke in to give up the walk-off home run to a right-handed batter: there were no right-handed pitchers left in the 'pen.)

"The inflammation's still there," Dotel said in an MLB.com article. "It doesn't go away. We're just going to see how it will be on Tuesday."

Leyland and the Tigers didn't comment on the possibility of sending Dotel to the disabled list.

At this point, one has to wonder why they just don't get it over with. Ineffective and sore, Dotel really isn't contributing much to team. Even before we learned of the soreness, Dotel's allowed six hits and two walks in four innings. Continuing to force the issue seems more likely to turn out poorly than well.

If Dotel is placed on the DL after being reassessed Tuesday, he would not be eligible to come off until May 5.

Last week we looked at a few pitchers who could get the call if Dotel hits the DL. Bruce Rondon or Jose Ortega seem likely. You can probably add Luke Putkonen's name as well. All three have been effective for the Triple-A Mud Hens. Former closer Jose Valverde pitched in back-to-back games for the Class A Flying Tigers on Friday and Saturday but seems like he'd need a little more work first.