Now, can he pitch?
As the Tigers would acknowledge, calling up Dontrelle Willis is one thing.
Having him pitch effectively could be another matter altogether.
There was nothing cynical about Thursday's decision to bring back Willis, the challenged 27-year-old left-hander, from the minors and make him the starter in Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins at The Metrodome.
Willis had been throwing enough good pitches at Triple-A Toledo to get batters out. It was that simple in deciding to bring him back to Detroit.
The Tigers seemed to acknowledge that this is probably a last serious shot for Willis to show he can cut it as a reliable big-league starter. They made it plain that there was nothing left for Willis to prove at Triple A. His pitches were as good as they were likely going to be.
He's under contract to pitch in the big leagues. He was at the end of his stint on the disabled list.
Here's what's alarming about Willis as he prepares to meet the Twins next week:
He does not appear to be overpowering anyone. He's not throwing one particular pitch with any special gusto. He walks his share of batters. He strikes out only a few more. He gives up basically one hit per inning.
And that's at Triple A. Move him into The Metrodome against a Twins team that pecks and pounds at you and Willis could have picked more comfortable spots and teams to begin his comeback.
But that seems to be the whole point here. Either he can pitch or he can't. Either he can get hitters out, on any team, at any place, or he can't.
And that's a question the Tigers appear ready to have answered -- one way or another.
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Now, can he pitch?
Jimbo, I believe your comment assesses blame where it doesn't belong. The Tigers had nothing to do with any of these three players' falls from grace. Chris Shelton never had 'it', he got extraordinarily lucky and played way beyond his ability for about three weeks total. Dontrelle was losing 'it' for two years before he came here, our only fault was not realizing it before signing him to a ridiculous contract. Nate simply got older and lost the velocity and great slider he needed to have to keep pitching right-handers inside. Without that and not (yet, at least) learning how to pitch like a 'finesse' lefty, he became below replacement level. Nothing mysterious in any of these players' declines.
Now, can he pitch?
First, Chris Shelton, then Dontrelle Willis, then Nate Robertson....
What is it with the Tigers and players that had "it", but then suddenly and mysteriously lose "it"?!!?
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