The Tigers are hopeful that adding Jose Capellan to the bullpen will give the team a reliable middle reliever, something they’ve been in desperate need for over the past couple months.
Their two go-to late inning setup men last season haven’t been what they were in 2006. Joel Zumaya has missed the past two months after finger surgery (and could be out until September), and Fernando Rodney has been bouncing on and off the disabled list, and when he’s been active, has been largely ineffective.
Capellan will be brought in to try and help stabilize a unit in desperate need of some stability. In 12 appearances so far this year, Capellan is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA. Capellan, 26, spent the first two months of the season working in Triple-A Nashville, where he was 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA and a .223 average against.
In exchange for Capellan, the Tigers gave up lefty Chris Cody from high-A Lakeland. Cody, who had just moved up to Lakeland from West Michigan, has a 5-6 record with a 1.89 ERA between the two levels. Cody also had 95 strikeouts and just 16 walks.
To make room for Capellan on the 25-man roster, the Tigers optioned Eulogio de la Cruz to Triple-A Toledo. In six appearances, “Frankie” had a 6.75 ERA with five strikeouts and four walks.
De la Cruz could return to Detroit sometime again this season, as manager Jim Leyland acknowledged he has a very good arm. However, he also stated, as many knew at the time of his promotion, that he still has some work to do.