Dontrelle Willis to return from anxiety disorder (Image: Newscom)

Willis’ return date is Wednesday, May 13th against the Minnesota Twins. In his last game in the minors, he pitched 7.2 innings and give up two runs and four walks while striking out four.

Once upon a time, Willis was regarded as one of the best pitchers in baseball. In 2005, he was 22-10 with a 2.63 ERA while with the Florida Marlins. However, since that point, he has gotten progressively worse.

In 2006, Willis was 12-12 with a 3.87 ERA. In 2007, he finished 10-15 with a 5.17 ERA. He bottomed out in 2008 while with the Tigers, posting a 9.38 ERA in seven starts.

If Willis doesn’t reverse his current trend, he could be running out of chances in baseball. The good news for Willis is that he’s still only 27 years old and his velocity in the minor leagues was said to be improved.

Detroit can definitely use his help. With a record of 14-13, the Tigers are three games behind the division-leading Kansas City Royals in the AL Central. If Willis can return and prove to be a capable starter once again, he could be a difference-maker within the division.

Post from: EveryJoe

Dontrelle Willis Anxiety Disorder – Return

Which lucky minor league pitcher gets a chance to step up for the Tigers? Well – the Detroit Free Press is reporting that Jim Leyland is strongly leaning towards Eddie Bonine.

While Willis is buffing up on the basics of pitching in the low-minors, it’s time for Detroit fans to learn yet another name and hope that Mr. Bonine can be as good as Armando Galarraga, who has proven he belongs at the big league level.

Post from: EveryJoe

Name that Detroit Tigers pitcher

Don’t worry Detroit Tigers fans… Dontrelle Willis is going to save the day! Wait, are we talking about the current version of Willis or the 2005 version that went 22-10? Unfortunately for Tigers fans, it is the current beat up version of Willis.

Willis did recently post his best rehabilitation stint to date, however, in that outing he walked four batters, allowed one run and five hits over six innings of work. Detroit manager Jim Leyland wasn’t too excited with Willis’ outing, stating in the Detroit Free Press that “the performance was just OK.” But you have to wonder if this outing would have been acceptable for the Tigers’ rotation. Of course it would have been. The Tigers are 29th in Major League Baseball in earned run average, posting an American League worst 4.93 ERA. Only the Pittsburgh Pirates have a higher ERA at 4.96.

But the problem with Willis’ imminent return to the Tigers’ rotation is that he will most likely be bumping the most productive pitcher; Armando Galarraga. Galarraga is 3-1 this season with a team-best 3.06 ERA. Willis, on the other hand, has pitched only five innings and posted a 7.20 ERA.

You have to imagine that Leyland and Detroit president/general manager Dave Dombrowski will be discussing Willis’ comeback, among other things, when the two meet today to discuss the AL’s worst team.

Hang on Tigers fans… it can’t get as bad as the 2003 season… or can it?

Photo: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Dontrelle to save the day?