Tigers' P Willis Reinstated From DL; Headed To Pen
POSTED: 7:17 pm EDT May 21,
2008
Detroit, MI -- (Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers reinstated pitcher Dontrelle Willis from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday, though, the left-hander will not return to the rotation immediately.Rather, the 26-year-old will be available to pitch out of Detroit's bullpen. Willis has been sidelined since hyperextending his right knee in his second start as a Tiger on April 11 at Chicago. He has pitched in just two games this season, a total of five innings for a 7.20 earned run average. Willis has never made a relief appearance in his 164 games pitched in the majors. For now the Tigers will continue to use right-hander Armando Galarraga in the rotation instead of Willis. The 26-year-old Galarraga, who replaced Willis once he was injured, is 3-1 with a 3.06 ERA in six games this season. Willis started Saturday at Columbus for Triple-A Toledo as part of a rehab assignment and earned the victory after allowing one run on five hits, while walking four and striking out four in six innings. He posted a 1-1 record and a 4.41 ERA with seven walks and 11 strikeouts in three starts with Toledo. The Tigers placed reliever Clay Rapada on the 15-day disabled list with biceps tendinitis to make room for Willis on the 25-man roster.
Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.





