Talk about a short honeymoon.
Detroit manager Jim Leyland acknowledges that “everything went almost exactly perfect for us last year,” when the Tigers won 95 games and went to the World Series. But a potentially career-ending injury to staff leader Kenny Rogers guarantees that a return to the playoffs will be more challenging.
The Tigers were a consensus pick to win the AL Central over the White Sox, Twins and Indians with Rogers and the rest of the 2006 rotation intact. But the division seems up for grabs with Rogers undergoing surgery Friday for a blood clot in his shoulder.
“You can’t underestimate how important Kenny is,” Detroit closer Todd Jones told the Detroit News.
A blood clot is a frightening discovery for any person. It’s what seems to have ended the career of Cubs left-hander Glendon Rusch last season, although some pitchers–most notably David Cone and Roberto Hernandez–have come back from surgery.
Rogers is 42 and has made more than $66 million in his 18-year career. You wonder if he might decide it’s time to pack it in if there’s any chance of the clot returning.
Rogers was 17-8 last season, making 33 starts. He’s a stunning 75-43 in five seasons since he had a rib removed to relieve a circulation problem in his arm.
Leyland is moving journeyman Chad Durbin (17-30, 6.14 career ERA) from the bullpen into the rotation. He will follow Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson and the surgically repaired Mike Maroth in a rotation that still looks as good as any in the AL Central (especially with Cleveland’s Cliff Lee also on the DL).
If the Tigers had not lost free agent Jamie Walker to Baltimore, they might have been willing to move Wil Ledezma into the rotation. Left-hander Andrew Miller, the former North Carolina star who reached the big leagues after only five minor-league innings, will open the season in the minors but could get a quick call.
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progers@tribune.com
