Jeremy Bonderman has shown some positive signs in his each of his rehab starts, but tonight’s was probably his best effort. He lasted 8 innings and threw 98 pitches, 66 of which were strikes. He didn’t allow a run and scatttered 6 hits and no walks while fanning 5.
I haven’t heard reports on his velocity yet, and that has been an area where we know he hasn’t reached his pre-surgical levels in his other starts.
The Tigers will need a 6th starter a week from Monday in Chicago. It would not surprise me in the least to see Bonderman activated for the evening part of the day-night doubleheader.
Bonderman-
“Maybe I won’t be going back in the rotation. You never know. I don’t know what’s going to happen. That’s the thing. The way it’s going, heck, I wouldn’t blame them for not putting me back in the rotation. I’m willing to do whatever to help the team. Wherever they put me, I’ll pitch, and I’ll go about my business and worry about it one day at a time.”
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090601&content_id=5090616&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det&partnerId=rss_det
I went to this game. Bondo looked pretty good, with pitch speeds between 78 and 91 mph. He was very efficient. Lots of first pitch strikes. There was one catch by Don Kelly and one catch by Brent Clevlen that were both right against the wall that saved him from any damage. Other than that, he looked good. The lineup that Charlotte had was pretty lackluster as far as AVG and OBP goes. I believe there was only 1 guy hitting over .300. Bondo’s fast ball was sitting pretty much between 88-90 with a few that touched 91. I don’t know if I like that velocity of he’s on the big club. His changeup looked pretty good though.
Side note – Hessman hit a ball OVER the scoreboard in left field that was but a few feet from the bottom of the lights! The ball was launched into orbit. Pretty impressive. Thames, not to be outdone, hit an absolute missle that smashed into the scoreboard. Both HR’s would’ve probably traveled roughly the same distance, but Hessman’s shot was absolutely majestic.