GDT: 7/4/08 - DET (43-42) AT SEA (33-52) - 4:10 p.m. ET

GDT: 7/4/08 - DET (43-42) AT SEA (33-52) - 4:10 p.m. ET

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07/04/2008 3:13 AM ET
Leyland looking at Zumaya's future
Detroit (43-42) at Seattle (33-52), Friday, 4:10 p.m. ET
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

SEATTLE -- The Tigers do not plan on using Zach Miner as a starting pitcher. Joel Zumaya could be another debate eventually.
While Detroit manager Jim Leyland emphasized that Miner is not in the plans to join Detroit's rotation, he admitted Thursday that he has pondered Zumaya's ultimate future as a starter or reliever. It won't happen soon, but it doesn't mean it won't ever happen.

Asked about it on Thursday, Leyland called it "possible, but it would be down the road."

"I'm not sure about that yet," Leyland said. "I've been thinking about that, to be honest with you. That's not something I would do right now necessarily."

If so, it would restart the question that went on within the Tigers organization a few years ago as Zumaya rose through the farm system with a fastball that could hit 100 mph to go with a solid breaking ball and a change of speeds.

When Leyland and president/general manager Dave Dombrowski decided to keep Zumaya on the 25-man roster out of Spring Training in 2006, Leyland said that not only would Zumaya work out of the bullpen, but he would pitch in some pretty big situations. The rest, of course, became part of the fabric of Detroit's turnaround before injuries have hampered Zumaya since.

It's not something that Leyland wants to dwell upon right now. And he bristled at comparisons to what the Yankees have done with Joba Chamberlain.

"I'm not going to get into that because it's down the road," Leyland said. "I'm just thinking. I've thought about it. I've thought about all these scenarios."

It's not a scenario the Tigers are going to approach right now. He's a vital part of the bullpen as Detroit continues its trek toward the All-Star break with Friday's Fourth of July matinee against the Mariners at Safeco Field in the second game of a four-game holiday weekend set.

Zumaya has allowed two runs on 10 hits over 6 1/3 innings and three runners scored out of five inherited since coming back from shoulder surgery two weeks ago. He pitched a scoreless inning of relief in Thursday's series opener, scattering two runners by retiring Ichiro Suzuki on an inning-ending grounder.

As for Miner, Leyland said the move to put him in the rotation at Triple-A Toledo has everything to do with getting him to use all of his pitches, especially his changeup, and not try to pump up his fastball at the expense of his command.

"I'm not down on Miner. I like him. He's going to be a big-league pitcher for the Tigers," Leyland said. "Zach Miner, I assume, will be back here in the not too distant future, if everything goes the way I think they should. But were not all of a sudden making Zach Miner a starter. He's going down there to get some work in."

Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Kenny Rogers (6-5, 4.59 ERA)
Rogers didn't have his best stuff in his last start, but he kept the Tigers in the game long enough for them to pull out a win. He also displayed some fancy defense, snaring a rocket line drive by Matt Holliday and making a nice stretch while covering first base to get a double play. The 43-year-old allowed three runs in the second inning but limited the damage and retired the final seven batters he faced. Rogers faced the Mariners once this season and earned the win after allowing four runs in 5 1/3 innings.

SEA: LHP Erik Bedard (5-4, 3.79 ERA)
The veteran left-hander returned to the Mariners' rotation last Sunday after missing more than a week because of back spasms, and he threw 94 pitches over 5 2/3 innings against the Padres. He was in control of the game until the sixth, when he walked the bases loaded and surrendered his only run. The lefty has now pitched into the sixth inning eight times in 14 starts this season.

Tidbits

Brandon Inge took part in baseball activities prior to Thursday's game, hitting off a tee, hitting soft-toss pitches, running and taking ground balls. However, he isn't expected to be activated from the disabled list until after the All-Star break. He's currently on the 15-day disabled list with a pulled left oblique muscle. ... Ramon Santiago, on the 15-day DL with a separated left shoulder, went 1-for-4 Friday night in the fourth game of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo. He's 2-for-14 for the Mud Hens in his rehab stint. Leyland said Thursday that if things proceed to plan, Santiago would be in line to be activated from the disabled list when the Tigers start their homestand next Tuesday. ... Ryan Raburn is expected to start at third base on Friday, giving Carlos Guillen a day off.

On the Internet

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN-HD

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Sat., July 5: Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga (7-2, 3.40 ERA)) at Mariners (RHP R.A. Dickey (2-4, 4.53 ERA)), 10:10 p.m. ET

• Sun., July 6: Tigers (LHP Nate Robertson (6-7, 5.56 ERA)) at Mariners (LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-1, 3.05 ERA)), 4:10 p.m. ET

• Mon., July 7: DAY OFF

• Tues., July 8: Tigers (RHP Eddie Bonine (2-1, 4.30 ERA)) vs Indians (LHP C.C. Sabathia (6-8, 3.83 ERA)), 4:10 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

DET:

SEA:

Last edited by GoGetEmTigers on Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:38 pm; edited 1 time in total

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67 degrees at game time

Winds 5-10

GO TIGERS

Updates?
_________________
"Contrary to what everybody else thinks, I still think I can come back and help this team."

Todd Jones on shoulder injury.

1-0 Tigers Bottom of the second

End of the Second:

Tigers coming to bat!

1-0

How come I can't get on the live blog?

1-0 Tigers; Bottom of the Third

I think you are the commentator, gs! No mods on currently!
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Too bad I got things to do soon

me either
_________________

I've come to the conclusion that the two most important things in life are good friends and a good bullpen. ~Bob Lemon, 1981

Runners on first and third for the M's

We need a DP

1-1 game; Sac Fly by Betancourt

DP!

Good Job Ichiroach

End of the Inning 1-1

yay KENNY!!
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

70 degrees and sunny in Seattle

Why the base umpires are wearing their heavy jackets is beyond me?

No chance of that happening next week at Comerica;

Temps near 90 with storms all week

Fucking Blows

Top of 4th

One Down Miggy can barely run

Let's get some runs

Come on Thames

Runner on first

Sheff at bat

Come on Sheff

Sheff Walks;

Runners on first and second;

1 out;

Pudge at bat!

Three run homer time

geez why is Miggy playing hurt? He said in the pregame interview he's been hurt most of the season!
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

2-0 count on Pudge

Miggy needs rest;

Leyland won't be happy until he is out for a month

2-2 count on Pudge

Pudge flies out to Ichiroach 2 down

Thomas at bat