Credit Roger DeWitt
The Tigers called up pitcher Eulogio De La Cruz today to take a shot at being a bullpen stud.
De La Cruz has spent a good chunk of his minor league career as a reliever, until last year when he was moved to the rotation and started to find success. This year he put together a remarkable string of outings and as the injuries in the Detroit bullpen mounted he was moved up to Toledo and into the bullpen. After walking 5 and allowing 3 runs in 1 inning in his first outing on June 4th, he has thrown 7 2/3 scoreless innings over 3 appearances.
De La Cruz (or DLC as he’s often referred to on Motown Sports) is a shorter guy standing only 5′ 11″ but can crank it up into the high 90’s.
Yorman Bazardo will be sent down to make room. I think this is less about Bazardo’s performance, which wasn’t bad, and more about seeing what the team has in De La Cruz and whether he can provide the help they need in the pen.
Oh I cant wait to see this guy!
Yeah, I wasn’t overly impressed with Bazardo…I think he’s serviceable…but we need a little better than that right now. This is a good move.
Here’s hoping he can contribute.
Positively, I should add.
Bazardo was never an answer for the bullpen (which was deduced when it only took Jeff Frazier to aquire him). I’ll be interested in seeing De La Cruz.
I don’t think you’ve seen the last of Bazardo in the pen this year. This is just so the Tigers can see if DLC can help or if they’ll have to trade for help.
Oh yeah, and DLC will be the set-up guy tonight with Rodney unavailable per Danny Knobler.
Oh, I don’t doubt that Bazardo will be back up at some point, but He’s no real answer in the pen. Defiinitely not long term. I think De La Cruz may be doing some auditioning for other teams tonight, as well.