Ok, so in his last start, Dontrelle Willis walks 8 (2 with the bases loaded) in 3.2 innings. Don't ask if the Tigers won. For the year, he has a 7.49 ERA and 28 walks in 32 innings. The Tigers look at this and say, "We gotta get this guy back on the DL somehow" and sure enough, it is announced that Willis has been placed on the DL for the second time this year for an "anxiety disorder". Let's not overlook the fact that the first time this happened a few weeks ago, Willis said he was fine and told Jason Beck at mlb.com, "I'm a guy that shoots from the hip. I was just playing bad." OTAY!
To begin with, I do not know why major league baseball allows these pseudo DL stints but as as long they do, I guess you can't blame the Tigers for taking advantage of it. That said, I do think the Tigers will need to get with Dontrelle this time so he at least plays along with this "anxiety disorder" diagnosis.
I do see that the Tigers trotted out their trainer, Kevin Rand (when was the last time a trainer talked to the press) to speak to the media. Per Booth Newspapers, here are some gems from Mr. Rand regarding Willis' "anxiety disorder" and mechanical issues: "They are intertwined. Mechanics is thinking through the motion, a lot of moving pieces trying to be put together. It's a very, very complicated issue, there's no doubt about it. It's a situation where you get in front of the crowds and have to put it together. It is one of the more complicated issues I've had to deal with."
Come again?
Come on Tigers, just admit you don't know what is going on here rather than bring out Mr. Rand to engage in some attorney-like gobblygook double-speak with media. You don't know what is wrong with Willis. That is ok. Neither does anybody else.
While I recognize that this is probably not the "be all and end all" of this, but here is one (pretty obvious) tip. Take a look at pictures of Willis during his early years and those of him now. See a difference? Uh YEA, he has gained about 25-30 pounds and not of the "muscle variety" either. I am not a trainer but this cannot be a good thing.
Tiger brass, PLEASE reassure us that you have discussed this "weight" issue with Dontrelle. If he doesn't want to do anything about it, well then I guess you are stuck as he has a guaranteed contract which runs through next year. A pity, really.
Tigers, you gotta at least tell us that this issue has been put on the table for Willis. Please don't say you haven't.
What does the trainer think about that?
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