The Tigers have placed Fernando Rodney on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right forearm and shoulder.  Rodney has really had a tough season as he’s been injured a few times and he’s been ineffective when he’s been active.  He has pitched in 27 games this season and he’s 1-5 with 1 save, a 5.40 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.  He has thrown 28.1 innings and he’s allowed 30 hits, walked 11 batters and he’s whiffed 25.  Look for the Tigers to explore trading for some bullpen help soon.

The Tigers have traded Mike Maroth to the Cardinals for two players to be named later.  Maroth was not needed in the rotation anymore with Nate Robertson and Kenny Rogers both ready to return from the DL and that was the reason for the trade.  Maroth started 13 games this season for the Tigers and he was 5-2 with a 5.06 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP.  Maroth finished his Tigers’ career with a 50-62 record with a 4.81 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP in 147 games (143 starts). 

The Tigers and Braves swapped talented lefty relievers earlier today.  McBride seems to have a little more upside in my opinion as he pitched really well last season for the Braves.  McBride is a 24 year old power pitcher and that is something the Tigers really need in their bullpen.  In 18 games this season with the Braves, McBride is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.93 WHIP.  McBride has pitched 15 innings this season for the Braves and he allowed 14 hits, walked 15 batters and whiffed 17.  All the Tigers have to do with McBride is get him to throw more strikes.  If they can do that they will have a very valuable addition to their bullpen.  McBride has pitched in 112 major league games in his career and he’s 6-1 with 2 saves, a 3.99 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP.  He has thrown 85.2 innings and he’s allowed 85 hits, walked 54 batters and whiffed 85.

Veteran lefty Kenny Rogers is coming off of the disabled list to start Friday’s game against the Atlanta Braves.  The Tigers have been waiting to get their leader back and he should be well rested.  The Tigers need Rogers to perform like he did last season for them when he had a great season.  He started 33 games in the regular season last year for the Tigers and he was 17-8 with a 3.84 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.  But he saved his best for last as he was awesome in the post season.  He started 3 games in the post season last year and he was 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP!

Todd Jones has been really bad for over a month now.  In his last 9 games Jones is 0-2 with 4 saves, a 11.74 ERA and a 3.00 WHIP.  If Joel Zumaya had been healthy it’s possible that Jones would have been replaced by him already because of the way he has pitched this season.  Jones is 1-3 with 17 saves, a 5.06 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP so far this season and that just won’t get it done if the Tigers have their eyes on getting to the World Series.