DETROIT -- Dontrelle Willis is rejoining the Tigers, but he'll be doing so in the bullpen.

 

Manager Jim Leyland announced Wednesday that the team will activate Willis from the 15-day disabled list, but Willis will not return to the rotation. Instead, he'll pitch in relief while the Tigers try to work on his pitching.

 

Armando Galarraga, who has been one of the Tigers' most effective starters since replacing Willis in the rotation, will remain there.

 

"We just want to keep him working, get some more innings in, get him fine-tuned a little bit, and then we'll play it from there," Leyland said.

 

The Tigers will make the move either Wednesday night or Thursday, depending on the move they make to create room for Willis on the 25-man roster. He is not expected to be activated in time for Wednesday night's game against Seattle.

 

Willis has been on the DL since hyperextending his right knee in his second start as a Tiger on April 11 at Chicago. He made three rehab starts for Triple-A Toledo, most recently last Saturday. While his knee has apparently been fine, his control has gone in and out. That has been club officials' main concern after he walked nine batters in five-plus innings in his two Detroit starts.

 

"We'll pick our spots to get him work and try to move him along forward," Leyland said. "He's got a great approach, great attitude about it. He's ready to go."

 

If he irons out his issues, Willis would presumably return to the rotation at some point. He signed a three-year, $29 million contract in the offseason to be a longterm member of Detroit's rotation. However, there's no timetable on moving him back there.

 

"Whatever they want to do, I'll do it," Willis said.

 

Galarraga has a 3-1 record and 3.06 ERA in six starts since the Tigers purchased his contract from Triple-A Toledo last month. He has allowed just 21 hits over 35 1/3 innings, good for a .167 opposing batting average, with 14 walks and 24 strikeouts. With his ability to throw strikes and challenge hitters, he has been surprisingly effective.

 

"I know when [Willis] gets better he'll be a starter in the rotation," Galarraga said, "so I don't want to try to do too much and just keep it rolling." Galarraga's next start is scheduled for Friday night at home against Minnesota.

 

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They must have zero confidence in Dontrelle right now if they won't give him a rotation spot even with the way the Tigers starters have struggled this year. I'd like to see him perform well in the bullpen and earn his way back into the rotation.

I really do hope the D-Train gets back on rail, he better not go Fernando Valenzuela on us

I think it's going to be funny when he fails with them so bad, that they DFA him, and he winds up back here.

I think it's going to be funny when he fails with them so bad, that they DFA him, and he winds up back here.

That would be nice.However i dont think Loria would want to pay him 7 million a year.

quick question

 

was it maybin or miller that was the main piece of the trade for us?

quick question

 

was it maybin or miller that was the main piece of the trade for us?

 

What came first, the chicken or the egg?

 

They were both really the "main" piece(s) of the deal, both first round picks with five star potential

I told my buddy back in April who is a Tigers Fan and rubbing it in to me how they have Dontrelle now. I told him by mid season he will be a reliever. The AL would be a blow to his career. He would have to face more powerful lineups because of the DH. He no longer bats, and he was a decent batter when he came to the plate. That skill helped him in the NL.

I can't believe this is the same guy that won 22 games just 3 years ago and was a Cy Young candidate. I really hope he bounces back and becomes at least halfway decent.

agreed - i still really like the guy and want to see him succeed