Bruce Rondon is back with the Detroit Tigers. Whose roster spot he’s taking, we’re not sure just yet. Chris Iott of MLive first reported that the Tigers had made the move to recall their potential closer of the future on Friday, one day after the bullpen let another extra-innings game slip away.
Barring an injury to a bullpen piece, the roster spots in jeopardy for now would seem to be those of Evan Reed, Jose Alvarez and struggling southpaw Phil Coke. (Update: It’s Reed who has been demoted. Rondon will pitch in the sixth and seventh innings, according to Jim Leyland.)
Reed has appeared in six games, but all six have been Detroit losses with Reed mostly mopping up for struggling teammates. Coke, meanwhile, fell to 0-5 with an ERA approaching 7.00 as the Angels hammered him in the 10th inning Thursday. He still has minor-league options remaining, so he could be demoted.
Alvarez could be the odd man out if Anibal Sanchez is ready to return and start on Monday. If that’s the case, the Tigers could demote Alvarez now without a hassle, then worry about a roster move to correspond to Sanchez’s return later.
No matter which way the Tigers go, they’re prepared to give Rondon another opportunity out of the bullpen. The fireballer struggled in spring training, after Detroit had hoped he could take the closer’s role and run with it. He then allowed five hits, three runs and two walks over just 2.1 innings in late April/early May before the Tigers returned him to Toledo again.
Rondon has been very solid there, posting a 1.52 ERA in 30 games and picking up 14 saves with a 0.91 WHIP.