Lynn Henning

Dealing with the Nate Robertson problem

Among their many thorny decisions this week, the Tigers had to decide what to do with Nate Robertson.

Apart from one outing -- two if you want to go with a scoreless stint that wasn't otherwise impressive -- he has not pitched in Florida with any degree of command.

He has been hit. He has allowed walks. The Tigers could not put him in the starting rotation. But because he is scheduled to make $17 million through 2010, neither were they interested in cutting him. They might have asked him to return to the minor leagues to re-craft himself as a reliable starter, but it's questionable whether Robertson would have agreed to it.

The Tigers instead decided to put him in the bullpen. They'll use him in long relief, hoping he can reclaim some of his old form and confidence.

What concerns me, beyond Robertson's pitches, is whether he will handle this latest setback, this demotion. Robertson is a proud and personable guy. He is also sensitive. Maybe too sensitive.

He has been fairly miserable as his Florida crisis has played out. Down in the dumps. Reclusive, almost.

Robertson's problem is that he will need fire and resolve if he is to make it back as a starter with the Tigers. He will need to pitch sturdily in long relief and, more important, to embrace a new challenge with an attitude that will enable him to succeed.

If not, the forecast as a long reliever isn't good. And then the Tigers will be forced to cut him. To everyone's disadvantage.

Robertson's downhill slide began two years ago. Not until he is able to control the one element that's within his control -- his ability to pitch -- is this situation going to improve.

There are worse things than pitching long relief. Give it a shot, Nate. It's the first step in a man's comeback. And it'll make an otherwise blessed life all the happier if you embrace it in just that fashion.