Detroit Tigers pitcher Alex Wilson has been notified by the Tigers and skipper Ron Gardenhire, that he is heading back to the bullpen for the start of the 2018 campaign.
“We called him in two days ago and told him he was going back to the pen in basically the same role he was in last year,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He’s fine with that. He said he appreciated the opportunity to get some starts. He gets it. He understands.”
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The way the Tigers have approached Wilson this spring should give him assurance, that the franchise feels good about his overall abilities as a pitcher, heading into the 2018 season. By giving him the opportunity of possibly becoming a starter shows he is an important piece of this pitching staff. Wilson wanted the opportunity to try and grab a starting role, and the Tigers gave him that chance.
Even if the spring starting role experiment hasn’t gone the way Wilson may have wanted it to go, it tells Detroit that he is willing to try for the betterment of himself and the team. This spring, he is 0-1 with a 14.14 ERA, in 7.0 innings of work in 3 games. Him wanting a shot at a starting role this spring shows the Tigers they may be able to use him in some longer appearances this season. Wilson having the ability to be a possible moving piece in that bullpen can only help.
Last season he appeared in 66 games. He was 2-5 with a 4.50 ERA, working a total of 60 innings.
BONUS CONTENT:
Detroit Tigers sign former catcher to minor league deal
The Detroit Tigers just announced that they have signed catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a Minor League deal. The deal includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training.
Saltalamacchia is no stranger to the Tigers organization as an opposing player and a member of the 2016 Tiger squad.
