Dontrelle Willis, Freddy Garcia set to join the rotation
BY JOHN LOWE • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • September 10, 2008
BY JOHN LOWE • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • September 10, 2008
Dontrelle Willis is a happy man.
The left-hander learned from Tigers manager Jim Leyland on Tuesday that he will start Monday night in Texas.
"This is a lot of hard work paying off," said Willis, who spent 2 1/2 months in the minors to regain his control and form. "So I'm real excited, and I'm eager to go out there and have some fun."
Two nights after Willis starts, right-hander Freddy Garcia will get his first start for the Tigers against Texas.
Like Willis, Garcia is joyful.
"When I started doing rehab last year (from shoulder surgery), I didn't think I would be able to come back because I couldn't move my arm," he said. "I've been working very hard to get back -- a lot of hard work."
Willis and Garcia are on a countdown to starts that nobody could be sure would happen.
Leyland was asked Tuesday what told him that the pitchers were ready to pitch in the major leagues. "They told me they were ready when I talked to them today," he replied.
Willis said he would aim to "continue to do what I've been doing."
Willis, who has World Series experience and a 20-win season, was asked what kept him going in this season's stint in the minors.
"God. I'm still thankful. I was always thankful for my job, regardless of being in A-ball or Triple-A," he said. "I play for my teammates, my family, the city I represent, and my being an African-American baseball player. With all those things, it's hard to get down and give up."
The left-hander learned from Tigers manager Jim Leyland on Tuesday that he will start Monday night in Texas.
"This is a lot of hard work paying off," said Willis, who spent 2 1/2 months in the minors to regain his control and form. "So I'm real excited, and I'm eager to go out there and have some fun."
Two nights after Willis starts, right-hander Freddy Garcia will get his first start for the Tigers against Texas.
Like Willis, Garcia is joyful.
"When I started doing rehab last year (from shoulder surgery), I didn't think I would be able to come back because I couldn't move my arm," he said. "I've been working very hard to get back -- a lot of hard work."
Willis and Garcia are on a countdown to starts that nobody could be sure would happen.
Leyland was asked Tuesday what told him that the pitchers were ready to pitch in the major leagues. "They told me they were ready when I talked to them today," he replied.
Willis said he would aim to "continue to do what I've been doing."
Willis, who has World Series experience and a 20-win season, was asked what kept him going in this season's stint in the minors.
"God. I'm still thankful. I was always thankful for my job, regardless of being in A-ball or Triple-A," he said. "I play for my teammates, my family, the city I represent, and my being an African-American baseball player. With all those things, it's hard to get down and give up."
how about the bullpen for next year -- after Farnsworth gave up that grand slam last night. so frustrating!! Thames gets us back in the game after Sheffield strikes out with the bases loaded only to be let down by the bullpen AGAIN.
ReplyDeleteDontrelle looked good last night. I was most impressed by the way that he threw the ball. Hopefully he is healthy now and will be able to regain his control. Talking about control, his windup is now very slow and I am afraid that hitters will eventually be able to pick up his pitches unless he is more deceptive. It would certainly help throwing from the far left side of the mound and pushing people off of the plate more.
ReplyDeleteI check into my hotel on March 20th next year. Spring Training is less than six months away and I can't wait. Optimism will reign again.