Detroit Tigers Roster News 2015: Justin Verlander, Bruce Rondon to Start New Season on the Disabled List for Tigers
In what was a day full of bad news for the Detroit Tigers, the team announced that starting pitcher Justin Verlander and relief pitcher Bruce Rondon will start the season on the disabled list. Verlander's time on the list will go back to his last start and he will be eligible to return April 12th. Rondon's circumstance is a bit more complicated.
This is the first time in Verlander's 10-year career that he has spent any regular season time on the disabled list. He was scheduled to start the second game of the season for the Tigers, but due to the travel schedule and the day off following opening day, the Tigers will not have to make a roster move or bring in a pitcher. David Price will start the opener with the rest of the rotation being bumped up one start till Verlander's returns. He is suffering from a triceps strain.
"Me speculating wouldn't change the facts, and the facts are his arm will let us know when he is going to be able to pitch. I will say, and I've said it from the get-go, I don't think this is an injury that is going to be a long-term issue," manager Brad Ausmus told Mlive.com. "He said after throwing pretty firm (Wednesday) that he felt better today. So that's a good sign."
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Rondon awoke Wednesday morning with a sore shoulder. Thursday he had MRI that showed bicep tendonitis and since he is returning from Tommy John surgery, the Tigers are likely to take cautious approach with him. This is the third season Rondon figured to be a big part of the Tigers bullpen and the third season in which he has not made the team out of spring training.
While the starting rotation was pretty much set and can survive without Verlander to start the season the bullpen has been in flux all spring. Without Rondon, the roster possibilities are endless and the team could carry an extra bullpen arm till Verlander is ready to return.
