The Detroit Tigers put Dontrelle Willis on the 15-day disabled list with an anxiety disorder on Sunday. They also placed injured reliever Joel Zumaya on the list with a sore right shoulder. Willis said that he is feeling well on and off the mound, however.
“I have no idea, but (the doctors) didn’t like what they saw in the blood. This is not something where I’m too amped up and I don’t know where I’m at, and I’m running sprints up and down the parking lot,” said Willis.
Because of privacy regulations, GM Dave Dombrowski said that he cannot give more information on Willis.
Zumaya’s placement on the DL was retroactive to March 27th. The Tigers returned the contract of pitcher Kyle Bloom to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Manager Jim Leyland said that it is unlikely for Zumaya to start the season in Detroit.
“When we get him back, I want him for good,” said Leyland. “So we’re going to take all the steps to make sure that he’s ready to pitch, ready to pitch back to back, and we’re in the process of doing that.”
Earlier during spring training, Zumaya pitched three innings, including a minor league game on Friday where he gave up no hits.
Dombrowski said, “He feels good, but we’re also in a position where we do not want to rush him whatsoever.” He later added that Zumaya will be limited to minor league appearances for the rest of the spring.
