DETROIT -- Tigers vs. Yankees, Alfredo Simon vs. C. C. Sabathia
Early News: Justin Verlander has had an MRI, after all, to detect the extent to which his right arm is injured.
And the result? Nothing more than the triceps strain that the Tigers thought it was all along.
Tom Gage: But it took the Tigers nearly three weeks to determine that an MRI was necessary. Isn't that the same as a snail's pace, Dana?
Dana Wakiji: To us, it seems so, but trainer Kevin Rand said they didn't feel it was necessary because Verlander was progressing well until recently.
Once he was particularly sore two days after the simulated game, I'm sure that's what prompted the testing.
TG: And what's new about Victor Martinez, Dana? Frankly, it's gotten to a point with Victor that it's new even if there's nothing new -- because the way his knee is feeling seems to change every day.
DW: It could be that way all year, as now that left knee has been surgically repaired twice.
For now, Martinez is going to play. If it appears that he's getting worse, then they might be forced to shut him down for a while. But Martinez always wants to play.
Brad Ausmus said they've sometimes told Martinez not to take BP left-handed because that's where the weakness is. But if Martinez feels good, he might do some from that side.
TG: As for Joe Nathan's return, what do you think: Give him his closing job back or not give him his job back?
The way I look at it is that it doesn't matter what we think because the Tigers will give him another chance. But he can't afford back-to-back stumbles. I think it's come down to that.
DW: I agree, Tom. A player who's been in the league as long as Nathan deserves a chance to prove he can do it.
But I wouldn't expect a very long leash.
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