Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Alexander made history last week, striking out nine consecutive batters to tie an AL record. He was even rewarded with his game-worn hat and the final baseball he used during the game being immediately delivered to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
And now, he’s getting a further reward – being added to the team’s starting rotation.
Meanwhile, Daniel Norris, still working his way back to form following a positive COVID-19 test, will move to the bullpen.
“It just didn’t look like Danny was ready to this on a starting basis,” manager Ron Gardenhire said before the game Friday against the Pirates. “He looked a little overwhelmed (in his first start last Sunday). We think eventually he will be back in it.
“We just have to get him to calm down, give him some easy innings and get his confidence back up.
“Alexander has been dominant, my goodness,” Gardenhire said. “He has what, nine straight strikeouts, set a record? As a manager you start thinking, who’s going good here.”
Meanwhile, Norris will become a left-handed threat in Detroit’s bullpen dominated by righties.
“Our righties can get lefties out, too,” Gardenhire said. “We have a pretty good bullpen here. Once we get the ball to them, we don’t have to have that lefty stretched out. We have guys down there who have a chance to be future closers leading up to (closer Joe Jimenez). If we get to that situation, I’ll be really, really happy.”
– – Quotes via Chris McKoskey of The Detroit News Link – –
