Article published August 12, 2008
Willis could rescue Mud Hens
By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
With pitcher Eddie Bonine ailing, the Mud Hens' rotation could receive help from
Dontrelle Willis.
Bonine was placed on the disabled list yesterday with what the Mud Hens called a right shoulder strain. He was removed in the fifth inning of his start Sunday night against Norfolk with tightness behind the shoulder, and was examined by Dr. Luke Ragan in Toledo yesterday.
Hens manager Larry Parrish said Bonine, who also underwent an MRI, will miss at least one start but could be out for longer, depending on further examination by Tigers team physician Dr. Stephen Lemos.
This is where Willis comes in.
Willis, who the Tigers acquired in December and handed a three-year, $29 million contract extension, has been in Single-A Lakeland since June trying to work through control problems. He pitched Sunday night against Dunedin, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks in 71/3 innings.
Detroit general manager Dave Dombrowski said in a telephone interview that he wouldn't discuss any moves until there was something official to announce, but didn't refute that Willis was at least being considered for Bonine's spot. Parrish didn't deny it, either."We definitely have to do something, at least for his next start," Parrish said.
Parrish said Rick Porcello, last year's No. 1 draft pick, probably wasn't an option. The Hens manager said an internal candidate to move into the rotation is Jeremy Johnson, a reliever who started eight games for the Hens this year.
Willis was optioned to Lakeland June 10 after a disastrous start against Cleveland in which he gave up eight runs on two homers and five walks in 11/3 innings. He has a 10.32 ERA with 21 walks in 111/3 innings for the Tigers this year.
After spending some time working on his mechanics away from game action, Willis has pitched in six games for Lakeland, going 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA and 11 walks in 28 innings.
If Willis does get promoted to the Hens, he wouldn't pitch until Friday or Saturday in Richmond. Willis has already pitched three games for Toledo this year while on rehab assignment for a hyperextended knee.
As for Bonine, he said he first felt his injury early in the second inning but continued on.
"I was trying to throw through it, but by the fifth inning it was really affecting the way I pitched," Bonine said.
BALLS AND STRIKES: An attendance record was set - and a milestone was reached - at Fifth Third Field last night. The crowd of 8,973 was the park's 12th consecutive sellout, breaking the old record of 11 set in the final 10 games of the 2002 season through opening day in 2003.
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