When the Detroit Tigers got Jeremy Bonderman back on Monday, it presented somewhat of a problem for the team. If Bonderman pitched well enough to earn a spot back in the rotation, exactly whose spot would he take? Well, Bonderman didn't pitch very well in that first start, giving up six runs in four-plus innings, but Dontrelle Willis followed Bonderman's start by walking five in five innings on Tuesday.So, really, the decision the Tigers had to make was which one of their two options would do the least damage to the team every five days. Not an easy decision to make, but it looks like the Tigers have made it. On Friday, they placed Bonderman back on the disabled list.
The Tigers placed right-hander Jeremy Bonderman on the 15-day disabled list Friday as he continues his rehabilitation from thoracic outlet compression syndrome, a condition that restricts the blood flow through a blood vessel in the shoulder.This doesn't necessarily mean that Bonderman has had any physical setbacks. Really, the team just wanted to bring Ryan Perry back up from Toledo. Since Perry was just sent down Monday to make room for Bonderman, though, the Tigers are required to wait ten days before recalling him. That is, unless he's being called up to replace somebody going on the disabled list. So you can see what's going on here.
As for Bonderman's status, it was clear that he's not the same pitcher he was before the blood clot and missing over a year. His fastball topped out at 89 MPH during his first start back and his off-speed pitches, particularly his slider, just weren't what they once were.
He could still run out there every five days if the team needed him to, but he just wouldn't be that effective and it's probably better that the Tigers let him continue to rest -- and possibly sit him out for the rest of the season if need be.
