Tigers pitching depth to be tested without Rondon, Nathan, Verlander
DETROIT -- The Tigers said all spring they felt like they had good pitching depth with the arms they had in Toledo. Now that depth will be tested.
The Tigers already had Bruce Rondon on the 15-day disabled list because of biceps tendinitis.
Justin Verlander and Joe Nathan joined him on the DL Wednesday.
Kyle Lobstein and Blaine Hardy re-joined the Tigers Thursday.
Lobstein was driving north from Lakeland, Fla., when he got the news and Hardy was on the bus with the rest of the Mud Hens heading to Louisville when he heard.
"We had probably three more hours left," Hardy said. "They were like 'We're not sure if we just want to kick you off the bus, and let you find your way back.' Then when we got back in Louisville, first plan was for me to get on a plane to Toledo, then drive up here in the morning. Then they were like, 'We couldn't find a flight until 8 tomorrow, so you're just going to go straight there.'"
Unlike Hardy, Lobstein knew there was a chance that Verlander would miss Sunday's start.
"They said there could be a couple of scenarios, where I could go either way, so I just was kind of hanging in limbo, but preparing for the first game," Lobstein said. "Obviously, we want him to get healthy, and get back so he can pitch the rest of the year healthy. At this point, I was just ready to get the season started, start pitching in games. "
While Lobstein slid into Verlander's spot in the rotation, Joakim Soria will serve as the closer until Nathan is ready to return from his right elbow flexor strain.
"I feel sorry about Joe," Soria said Thursday morning. "Hopefully he's fine and he can come back soon. About being in that role, it's something that I have done so I'm used to this. My whole career I was a closer so I know what to expect."
As for the eighth inning role that Soria was doing, that will now fall on a number of pitchers.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Joba Chamberlain did it successfully last season so he'd be one of the players called upon.
"It's just going to be the opportunity to pitch in big situations and I'm an adrenaline junkie as it is so I'm excited about that opportunity," Chamberlain said.
If there were lefties coming in, Ausmus said he might turn to Ian Krol.
"I'm happy Brad has confidence in me," Krol said. "For me, every inning is kind of the same. When I'm out there pitching, I kind if just treat it the same. I don't try to make the situation any bigger than it already is."
Ausmus said depending on the situation, Al Alburquerque and Hardy could be used late in games as well.
But for now, Ausmus would like to avoid using rookie Angel Nesbitt in those situations.
"I think he's got the ability to pitch there eventually but I'm not sure I would heap that on his shoulders unless for some reason we get backed into a corner and we have to use him in an extra-inning game or something and he throws very well, maybe that would change my mind," Ausmus said. "But I would probably try to avoid that situation if possible early."
Rondon, who went on the DL April 1, could possibly be ready in the not-too-distant future if he continues to progress and can prove he can pitch on back-to-back days.
"He threw the last couple days," Ausmus said. "Not off the mound but he threw long yesterday. Went out long and then came back in, minimal discomfort."
For now, the bulk of the load will fall on Soria, Chamberlain, Tom Gorzelanny, Krol, Hardy and Alburquerque.
"We know what we need to do down there, we know what our job is," Krol said. "We're pretty good at making moves on the go and picking each other up so I don't think there's any more added pressure.
"I just think the responsibility got a little bigger."
