The big question, that got even bigger after last night’s shellacking was “what’s wrong with Nate Robertson?” The question hasn’t been answered yet, but he is being sent to the DL with a tired arm. He’ll miss two turns in the rotation at a minimum and can’t come back until June 22nd. (just about the same time that Kenny Rogers may be ready)

The bigger news is that Andrew Miller will be starting in his stead. Jim Leyland said the team will likely recall a reliever until Sunday, at which point Miller will be added to the rotation. Miller has been lights out since being promoted to Erie where he posts a 0.59 ERA over 30 2/3 innings with 24 K’s and 5 walks.

Robertson swears nothing is wrong, but is heading for additional tests regardless.

My take is that these moves need to happen for a variety of reasons. Robertson hasn’t really been helping the team for the better part of a month, and Miller really can’t do worse and should do better than an injured Robertson. Miller is dominating at AA and had a successful debut. I don’t think they are rushing him.

The upside is that for a least a few weeks this will quell talk of moving him to the pen, or moving him to the rotation to move Maroth/Durbin to the pen. Neither move I was a fan of. Putting him in the pen at this point in the season does nothing to strengthen his arm and build up his stamina for next year when he will need to be a member of the rotation for a full season.

In terms of flip-flopping Maroth/Durbin and Miller it would probably cause a lot of short term grief for something that couldn’t be sustained over the course of a season. Once Miller would hit his inning limit in mid to late August, one of them would have to come back to the rotation. Miller won’t be allowed to throw 190 innings this year, it just won’t and shouldn’t happen. Plus with Maroth’s propensity for the long ball, I don’t know that I’d want him as a reliever anyways.

While all the reports yesterday were that Andrew Miller would be called up with Jeremy Bonderman going on the disabled list, today’s game notes indicate that Zach Miner was called up. My guess is that this is the result of the rainout and today’s doubleheader. Miner will give the team another arm in the bullpen if need be today. He, or perhaps one of the other relievers (maybe Byrdak?) will probably be sent down following today’s game to make room for Miller.

Miner had a rough start to the year, but has made 3 quality starts in a row and hasn’t allowed a run in his last 13 innings.

UPDATE: Thanks to those who sent this, but Miner is starting in place of a sick Maroth.

Andrew Miller – cr. Roger DeWitt

Jeremy Bonderman has been placed on the DL retro to the 9th. Andrew Miller will start on Friday night.

MORE: The first post was brief, because it was from a blackberry. With an actual keyboard at my disposal, I’ll expand a little more.

This DL stint doesn’t worry me greatly. This is a blister issue, which should only need a couple weeks to resolve itself. With it being retroactive to May 9th, Bonderman will be eligible to come off the DL on the 24th. The 24th would be his next turn to start so the damage may be limited to 2 starts.

As for Miller, his numbers are a little more complex than what you see at a first glance. He of course shined in his AA debut last weekend going 8 innings and allowing only an unearned run on 6 hits, 7 K’s, and no walks.

At Lakeland he was a little up and down with walks being his only struggle. He had a 28/15 K/BB ratio in 41 innings. The complexity comes in his 3.48 ERA. By all accounts Lakeland’s infield defense was poor, and Miller is an extreme ground ball pitcher (4.5 ground outs for every air out). With the Tiger defense behind him, he could be fine if he keeps the ball down.

And for those of you worrying about rushing him, I don’t see it as an issue. He already tasted the big leagues last year, and they’re not asking him to join the rotation. This is a spot start (or two) and with make-ups in July this was likely to occur at some point this season.

The Tigers Opening Day roster has been officially set. It has been practically set since Monday, or course with adjustments for the Kenny Rogers and Vance Wilson injuries. I bring this up because the disabled list assignments are now finalized.

Tony Giarratano has been placed on the 60 day disabled list. Bobby Seay took his spot on the 40 man roster. I believe this is terrific news for Tony because I think he gets his full major league salary now which means he’ll get $380,000 (the league minimum) instead of being paid as a minor leaguer.

Edward Campusano and Roman Colon were the two other players still technically assigned to the big league squad and they have both been placed on the 15 day disabled list. I find this especially surprising for Campusano who I understood was to have Tommy John surgery. I’d guess the decision to place him on the 15 day DL may have something to do with his status as a Rule 5 pick. I’m not sure on the rules, but it may be that he’d have to be removed from the disabled list before being offered back to his old club (if the Tigers are so inclined) and this would give them the most flexibility.

And as a final note, Rogers is still on the 15 day disabled list. He of course could be transitioned to the 60 day if an additional 40 man spot is required.

Danny Knobler reports that Kenny Rogers is headed to the disabled list. No other word is available on the injury.

The corresponding moves are that Chad Durbin joins the rotation and Bobby Seay has been recalled. There will need to be another 40 man roster move, but that hasn’t been announced yet. (EDIT: the 40 man move will probably be Edward Campusano going to the 60 day DL)

I’d guess that the rotation would be shuffled to something along the lines of Bonderman-Robertson-Verlander-Maroth-Durbin.