Seeking bullpen relief, Tigers recall Brayan Villarrel and send Daniel Schlereth to Toledo

Brayan VillarrealDETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers have recalled right-handed relief pitcher Brayan Villarreal from Triple-A Toledo in an attempt to bolster an otherwise taxed bullpen.

In the corresponding move, the club optioned left-handed reliever Daniel Schlereth to the Mud Hens, one day after he allowed two grand slams in 1 1/3 innings of the Tigers' 14-3 loss to the New York Mets on Tuesday.

Detroit also lost 16-9 on Wednesday, and has used every relief pitcher except closer Jose Valverde and setup man Joaquin Benoit at least once in the past two days.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland stressed the move is being made out of necessity, not choice.

"(The move) was not planned prior to the game," he said. "(Schlereth) is kind of the victim of the circumstances, and we have to have a pitcher here (today) with a fresh arm.

"It won't hurt Schlereth to go down and get some work in, and we'll just take it from there."

Villarreal went 1-1 with a 6.46 ERA in 14 games with Detroit before being sent to Toledo in May. He was effective early in the season, but began to struggle with his control, precipitating his demotion.

He went 0-5 with a 4.41 ERA in seven appearances with Toledo, although those numbers are skewed by an eight-run outing Saturday.?

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Seeking bullpen relief, Tigers recall Brayan Villarrel and send Daniel Schlereth to Toledo

Brayan VillarrealDETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers have recalled right-handed relief pitcher Brayan Villarreal from Triple-A Toledo in an attempt to bolster an otherwise taxed bullpen.

In the corresponding move, the club optioned left-handed reliever Daniel Schlereth to the Mud Hens, one day after he allowed two grand slams in 1 1/3 innings of the Tigers' 14-3 loss to the New York Mets on Tuesday.

Detroit also lost 16-9 on Wednesday, and has used every relief pitcher except closer Jose Valverde and setup man Joaquin Benoit at least once in the past two days.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland stressed the move is being made out of necessity, not choice.

"(The move) was not planned prior to the game," he said. "(Schlereth) is kind of the victim of the circumstances, and we have to have a pitcher here (today) with a fresh arm.

"It won't hurt Schlereth to go down and get some work in, and we'll just take it from there."

Villarreal went 1-1 with a 6.46 ERA in 14 games with Detroit before being sent to Toledo in May. He was effective early in the season, but began to struggle with his control, precipitating his demotion.

He went 0-5 with a 4.41 ERA in seven appearances with Toledo, although those numbers are skewed by an eight-run outing Saturday.?

View the original article here

Detroit Tigers recall pitcher Brad Thomas

AP File PhotoBrad ThomasDETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers recalled left-handed reliever Brad Thomas today from his injury-rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Toledo, but he remains on the disabled list as he deals with stiffness in his left elbow.

He will be checked out by the Tigers' medical staff, and is not expected to be activated.

Thomas struck out the side in a one-inning outing Monday for Toledo, but experienced soreness in his elbow Tuesday, Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

Thomas went on the disabled list May 11 with inflammation in his left elbow. He had a 2.00 ERA in nine innings spanning six outings in his rehab stint with the Mud Hens, which began June 14.

Thomas struggled with the Tigers before his injury, going 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in 11 2/3 innings. He has walked six, struck out seven and opponents are batting .386 against him.

Perhaps most alarming for a pitcher often used as a situational lefty: He has allowed 10-of-12 inherited runners to score.

The move comes a day after Fox Sports reported the Tigers are shopping Thomas, although no likely suitors have emerged.

View the original article here

Detroit Tigers recall pitcher Brad Thomas

AP File PhotoBrad ThomasDETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers recalled left-handed reliever Brad Thomas today from his injury-rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Toledo, but he remains on the disabled list as he deals with stiffness in his left elbow.

He will be checked out by the Tigers' medical staff, and is not expected to be activated.

Thomas struck out the side in a one-inning outing Monday for Toledo, but experienced soreness in his elbow Tuesday, Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

Thomas went on the disabled list May 11 with inflammation in his left elbow. He had a 2.00 ERA in nine innings spanning six outings in his rehab stint with the Mud Hens, which began June 14.

Thomas struggled with the Tigers before his injury, going 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in 11 2/3 innings. He has walked six, struck out seven and opponents are batting .386 against him.

Perhaps most alarming for a pitcher often used as a situational lefty: He has allowed 10-of-12 inherited runners to score.

The move comes a day after Fox Sports reported the Tigers are shopping Thomas, although no likely suitors have emerged.

View the original article here