Monday Tigers News: Tork and Dingler are movin’ on up

What a weekend. The Tigers couldn’t muster a win in the three game tilt against the boys from the southside in a series that was highlighted by a Saturday game where Jose Urena barfed all over the mound figuratively in giving up seven earned runs in 1.2 innings and Beau Burrows — not to be outdone — chose to do so literally. Two position players pitched and the home team lost by 13. Sunday was a different kind of not so great wherein Carlos Rodon had a no hitter going into the seventh before Eric Haase took him to left for a double. The Tigers avoided the ultimate embarrassment, but still took the L. They limp into a home series against the Royals starting on Monday night. Let’s hope they look better.

Tork and Dingler on the move

Uber prospect, corner infielder Spencer Torkelson was off to a bit of a slow start this spring. He has recently shrugged that off and as of late has been tuning up Class A pitching. Catcher Dillon Dingler, Torkelson’s teammate at Class A, has been playing quite well himself. The two have apparently proven all that need to at that level as they have both been promoted to Double-A Erie. Knock Knock, Detroit.

Keeping an open mind

With roughly a month and a half remaining until the trade deadline, the designs the Tigers have for deadline moves this year are on the minds of many. Al Avila spoke a little bit about it yesterday, and open minded is the term that’s being thrown about.

“I would say, at this stage, we’re more apt to keep a good nucleus of players as we move forward and to continue building around those players. But you can’t ignore the fact that there might be a trade that makes you even better than that. That’s why I’m saying you still have to be open-minded.”

Avila seems to hold the belief that there’s a league wide concern with pitching as we move into the latter half of the season. That could make a few arms in Detroit valuable. Whatever moves the Tigers do — or do not — make, Avila has stated that they’ll be for the purpose of making the major league team better.

Rogers pitches

As the Tigers went into the 8th inning on Saturday, down 13-2 and deep into their bullpen, manager AJ Hinch asked catcher Jake Rogers to toe the rubber. Having not pitched since high school Rogers was nervous, but excited. Things started out rough, but as his velocity increased so did his success. He started throwing high sixties and getting pounded. He finished low 80s, throwing strikes and inducing outs. The only thing Rogers appears upset about is that Hinch wouldn’t let him go in for the ninth so he could “get that ERA down.”

More Buck

Prior to Sunday’s game, the organization announced they were bringing back Buck Farmer to replace Beau Burrows. Farmer was sent down in May, and after a rough start has pitched well recently. Farmer is making just shy of $2 million this year regardless of where he plays so I would imagine the front office has a strong desire to make him useful at the major league level. Sunday was not a strong indication that it’s going to work. Farmer pitched one inning gave up two earned runs with two hits, one hit batter, one walk, and two strike outs. I guess we’ll wait to see if he gets another chance.

One too many?

There is a dilemma on the horizon. In the off season the team signed catcher Wilson Ramos to a one year $2million deal. He’s currently rehabbing while on his second IL stint and should be able to return soon. Or should he? There are two guys in Detroit right now named Jake Rogers and Eric Haase who don’t seem too inclined to allow room for a third member of the catcher party. Ramos, who was signed for offense, hasn’t produced. Averaging .200 and 6 homers — his last coming in mid-April — Ramos is arguably expendable. Haase being capable of playing in the outfield could give Hinch the excuse to carry three catchers, but should he have to?