Tigers Will Fill Out Rotation With A Fill-In

Don't read too much into whom Detroit brings up to fill out its rotation Wednesday.

For one thing, general manager Dave Dombrowski is on record as saying that his goal is to obtain help for the rotation. That means experienced outside help.

Regardless of which pitcher Detroit settles on to fill the hole he will be inexperienced, at least in terms relative to a battle for first place in the division.

It won't be prized prospect Jacob Turner, either. The 2009 first-round draft choice is on a tether this season, so asking him to come up and pitch crucial games could be self-defeating.

Oh, and both Dombrowski and Jim Leyland have all but said, "Ain't gonna happen." That's a topic to be revisited at this time next year.

There's some thought it could be a showcase, someone being eyeballed by another team as a potential trade acquisition, but would a team fighting for first place risk that?

Charlie Furbush is a leading candidate, having pitched 12 games in relief plus two starts for Detroit earlier this season. Trouble there is that he's been clocked at 1.7 seconds to the plate with runners on first, about a half-second slow.

Makes one wonder what the Tigers teach in the minors and how he made the majors if Aunt Minnie can steal off him.

Detroit is loaded with left-handers in the minors and another one who is the subject of speculation is Duane Below, who has yet to pitch in the majors.

Whomever, it would appear he'll be replaced before July 31 anyway.

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