The Tigers announced that they’ve selected the contract of right-hander Trevor Rosenthal from Triple-A Toledo. The former Cardinals closer signed a minor league pact with Detroit after being released by the Nationals in late June. Detroit’s 40-man roster is now full.
Rosenthal, 29, slogged through a catastrophic few months in the Nationals organization prior to being cut loose. In his return to the Majors following Tommy John surgery in late 2017, he turned in a stunning 22.74 ERA with nearly as many walks issued (15) as outs recorded (19). Rosenthal allowed 16 runs on eight hits and those 15 walks in just 6 1/3 innings pitched. He struck out five batters but also hit three and lost the handle on five wild pitches.
While one would think that Rosenthal’s promotion to the big leagues is a sign that his bout with the yips has improved, that curiously doesn’t appear to be the case. In 5 1/3 innings with Detroit’s affiliate in Toledo, he’s allowed six runs on eight hits and six walks. Rosenthal has punched out nine hitters, which is a mildly encouraging development, but he’s also plunked another hitter and thrown yet another wild pitch.
In spite of those ugly results, he’ll get another look in the Majors as he hopes to salvage his season before another offseason trip through free agency. For the Tigers, it’s a free look at a once-dominant reliever, but given the team’s rebuild and the extent of Rosenthal’s struggles, it seems likely that he’ll be on a short leash. If there’s no indication of legitimate improvement, there’s little reason for the Tigers to give those innings to someone who likely won’t be with the organization in 2020.
Everyone hold on to your hats! Wild ride ahead
It’s not been a wild ride up to this point? I’m expecting more of the same just by a different name.
Wow. At least give the guy time to learn how to pitch again.
I’m available
Lol
I am too
You simply just can’t explain his struggles. His confidence has to be 0 right now. But maybe a change of scenery can get his ERA below 20…
Maybe needs glasses. Fixed me
bring all my shoes…and my glasses?
I don’t think it’s a change of scenery issue for him. The yips are a serious mental block for baseball players. His stuff is still electric, he just needs a shrink to get his head straight.
I am increasingly suspicious that the Tigers FO is trying to lose games. This is their counter for the Orioles losing Cashner…
oh yeah we’re definitely tanking right now.
Saaaame. Imagine how the other relievers in Toledo feel right now.
The White Sox are trying to lose too. When you see Jonny Slappy Jay batting 5th, what other reason than tanking could it be?
Nobody’s going to give them anything for him if he’s in Toledo. This way, if he reverses his fortunes (like he’d be the first reliever to do that), they might get a lottery ticket. If not, roll him down the stairs.
It’s a logical move.
Exactly. Last year he would have stayed in Toledo, hopefully stabilized and been treaded or released in August. The new deadline simply accelerated the process.
World Series. Here we come. Book it.
I hope they get good seats for it.
Trevor best of luck to you I’m pulling for you! You were a great Cardinal.
6 bad games in AAA did it for them? anyone actually willing to let him have a normal TJ recovery?
He had TJ back in 2017. He’s had almost two years to recover, guys can typically handle the major league workload by then
He earned this one. Oh wait
Awww shucks.
Computer voice, “FULL TANK MODE ACTIVATED”
Yeah. They must be tanking. Didn’t they learn from DC? He did terrible in the minors and DC brought him up anyway. Of course he did even worse in his Major League return. Then he does terrible in his minor league stint for the Tigers and they are acting as if they think he is gonna magically turn it around at the major league level this time? If they were smart they would stretch him out to make him a starter. That way he can eat up more innings so they can tank harder. If your gonna try to vulture the #1 pick from Baltimore do it right. In fact… Just go ahead and make Rosenthal the every day opener and don’t take him out until you know every game is so out of hand that it is already lost.
Once Boyd, Greene and Castellanos are gone via trade they will be lucky to win 2 out of every 10 games. The tank is fully on but I still think Baltimore will have them beat for the #1 pick. The tigers best starter will be (Norris or Turnbull) that’s awful. And the best hitter will be a 36 year old with 5 HR. Going to be a looooooong second half
The tigers are one of the worst teams in baseball. So why not throw him out there and hope he figures it out so he can be a trade asset in the future.
Any arbitration eligibility left? If yes, then a cheap insurance in case of improvement to replace Greene in 2020 or offseason trade.
funny enough, yes. but would have had to keep him down til about mid sept to get it (looks like at time of release from the nats, was about 30 days or so shy of hitting 6 years of service time)
Rosenthal pitches one inning, gives up one hit, no runs and 2 K’s. Trade him for Florial NOW!!!!!
Sarcasm…