Lima back in rotation; Powell recalled
July 24, 2002
BY JOHN LOWE
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Jose Lima is back in the Tigers' rotation and will start tonight against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park.
Lima said he didn't remember the last time he felt as happy as he did Tuesday when he got the news. He said when he told his parents about it on the phone, they wept.
"Lima Time is back," Lima said.
Manager Luis Pujols said Sunday that Lima wasn't a candidate to rejoin the rotation. Tuesday, Pujols said, "He's been throwing good."
Lima joins the rotation with right-hander Brian Powell, a one-time Tiger who has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo. They replace Adam Bernero, who takes Lima's place in the bullpen, and Brian Moehler, traded Tuesday to Cincinnati for minor leaguers. Powell, 3-8 with the Tigers in '98, was 10-3 at Toledo. He has allowed two earned runs in 21 innings in his past three starts.
Pujols pulled Lima from the rotation in late April, then used him in relief four times in the next two months. Lima has appeared a bit more often lately and has pitched well. He seems proud of how he didn't publicly blast anyone during his bullpen exile. "It's a great feeling to smile," Lima said.
Lima's next start after tonight will come Monday night in Seattle, two days before the trading deadline. Pujols denied Lima was reinserted in the rotation to be showcased for a possible trade.
Last week, Lima made a spot start against Boston because of a doubleheader. He thought it would be his final start as a Tiger. When he was called into Pujols' office Tuesday, he figured he would be getting his walking papers.
MORE MOEHLER: "Moehler is a guy who can keep us in games, pitch every fifth day, a gamer, a Reds-type player with tremendous makeup and character," Reds general manager Jim Bowden said after acquiring Moehler from the Tigers on Tuesday. "We followed his rehab extensively after his surgery because he is a pitcher we've always liked." . . . The Tigers included cash in the trade, and the Dayton Daily News reports the Tigers sent $800,000 to cover Moehler's salary for the rest of the season.
July 24, 2002
BY JOHN LOWE
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Jose Lima is back in the Tigers' rotation and will start tonight against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park.
Lima said he didn't remember the last time he felt as happy as he did Tuesday when he got the news. He said when he told his parents about it on the phone, they wept.
"Lima Time is back," Lima said.
Manager Luis Pujols said Sunday that Lima wasn't a candidate to rejoin the rotation. Tuesday, Pujols said, "He's been throwing good."
Lima joins the rotation with right-hander Brian Powell, a one-time Tiger who has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo. They replace Adam Bernero, who takes Lima's place in the bullpen, and Brian Moehler, traded Tuesday to Cincinnati for minor leaguers. Powell, 3-8 with the Tigers in '98, was 10-3 at Toledo. He has allowed two earned runs in 21 innings in his past three starts.
Pujols pulled Lima from the rotation in late April, then used him in relief four times in the next two months. Lima has appeared a bit more often lately and has pitched well. He seems proud of how he didn't publicly blast anyone during his bullpen exile. "It's a great feeling to smile," Lima said.
Lima's next start after tonight will come Monday night in Seattle, two days before the trading deadline. Pujols denied Lima was reinserted in the rotation to be showcased for a possible trade.
Last week, Lima made a spot start against Boston because of a doubleheader. He thought it would be his final start as a Tiger. When he was called into Pujols' office Tuesday, he figured he would be getting his walking papers.
MORE MOEHLER: "Moehler is a guy who can keep us in games, pitch every fifth day, a gamer, a Reds-type player with tremendous makeup and character," Reds general manager Jim Bowden said after acquiring Moehler from the Tigers on Tuesday. "We followed his rehab extensively after his surgery because he is a pitcher we've always liked." . . . The Tigers included cash in the trade, and the Dayton Daily News reports the Tigers sent $800,000 to cover Moehler's salary for the rest of the season.
