The scoop on Zoom's first rehab outing

[TigersFan81371]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...=.jsp&c_id=det

Zumaya sharp in first rehab outing
Tigers setup man tosses two scoreless innings in Lakeland
By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Joel Zumaya tossed two innings of relief for Class A Lakeland on Tuesday night, throwing 24 pitches (18 for strikes) and topping out at 101 mph on the radar gun at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Detroit's setup man last season, Zumaya is ahead of schedule after having surgery last fall to repair the A/C joint in his right shoulder.

In his final extended spring outing on Saturday, Zumaya's fastball topped out around 97 mph, but was more often around 95. Although the Flying Tigers' radar may be several mph off, Zumaya's fastball was still humming enough to average 99 and stun Sarasota batters in the game's seventh and eighth innings.

After going 0-2 to his leadoff batter, Zumaya gave up a double down the right-field line -- the lone hit he allowed -- before retiring the side with a strikeout and a pair of groundouts in the seventh inning. Zumaya faced seven total batters, issuing one walk in the eighth inning.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said over the weekend that Zumaya will pitch in relief for Lakeland -- at least to begin his assignment -- and if all goes well, he could rejoin the Major League club sometime this month.

Doctors originally expected Zumaya back no sooner than the All-Star break, but with no case history for the procedure he underwent among pitchers, the timetable was a rough estimate.

The flamethrower was also hampered by injuries last season, as Zumaya appeared in just 28 games after surgery on his right middle finger. After missing more than three months, he finished 2-3 with a 4.28 ERA out of the Tigers bullpen.

Brittany Ghiroli is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[tys-spikes84]

101! Amazing. After his problems, I just hope it doesn't affect him long term.

[T.O. Tiger Fan]

Excellent news!

[Dirk Diggler]

He also shattered the guys bat on the double. He was extremely impressive to say the least.

[fyrftrjim]

I wouldn't go by the 101 on the stadium gun, it about 3 mph off, I would say he hit 97-98 tonight, but Yoda, & Deadshot may know for sure, they were sitting by the radar guns this evening, but Zumaya look awsome I would say his shoulder is healed, this is great news for Detroit

[tigersfandm]

the guy is a freak if he comes back from that kind of shoulder injury and is like the old zoom

[tys-spikes84]

Originally Posted by fyrftrjim

I wouldn't go by the 101 on the stadium gun, it about 3 mph off, I would say he hit 97-98 tonight, but Yoda, & Deadshot may know for sure, they were sitting by the radar guns this evening, but Zumaya look awsome I would say his shoulder is healed, this is great news for Detroit

97-98 is quite acceptable.

[Eric Cioe]

Originally Posted by tys-spikes84

97-98 is quite acceptable.

That's plenty.

My God, this is wonderful news.

[dt35456884]

I am extremely pessimistic about Zumaya. That said, this is a pretty remarkable performance, all things considered.

[JonBenke]

Originally Posted by dt35456884

I am extremely pessimistic about Zumaya.

Why?

[Madmanrick]

Originally Posted by tigersfandm

the guy is a freak if he comes back from that kind of shoulder injury and is like the old zoom

Indeed, you are correct. Now all the Tigers need to do is hire a coach for just Zoom (ala Josh Hamilton), to make sure that he never again picks up a guitar (real or otherwise) or anything else that could injure his arm.

[Yoda]

Yeah Lakeland's pitchers charted him at 95-99, and from what I saw they were all 2-seamers with a ton of movement. His curve was at 79-82 and he threw it 4 or 5 times. Pretty filthy. Dave called someone on the cell and he was pretty giddy.

The best part that I got out of it was his location. He was routinely hitting Skelton's mitt and painting the outside corner.

Also, the double was a shatterd bat grounder right over first base that the first baseman wasn't able to get over to quick enough. Not hit hard at all.

[tys-spikes84]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Yeah Lakeland's pitchers charted him at 95-99, and from what I saw they were all 2-seamers with a ton of movement. His curve was at 79-82 and he threw it 4 or 5 times. Pretty filthy. Dave called someone on the cell and he was pretty giddy.

The best part that I got out of it was his location. He was routinely hitting Skelton's mitt and painting the outside corner.

Also, the double was a shatterd bat grounder right over first base that the first baseman wasn't able to get over to quick enough. Not hit hard at all.

Schhhhhhhwing!

[LJK004]

I'm just ecstatic that he's back up in the high 90's. I wasn't sold on the finger being 100% last year, so maybe this shoulder injury isn't such a bad thing. As for the shoulder, didn't the Docs mention that he probably wouldn't lose much in the way of velocity back at the time of the surgery? Either way, if he can come back, I'll take someone in the 'pen who has proven he can get big league hitters out, consistantly.

[stande1]

amazing news!!

[Kamakzie]

Zoom we NEED YOU!!

[Buddha]

How was he on ground balls? Did he cover first base?

[hueytaxi]

Originally Posted by Buddha

How was he on ground balls? Did he cover first base?

[tiger337]

Another clutch post by Huey.

[hueytaxi]

Originally Posted by tiger337

Another clutch post by Huey.

Thanks Lee....you can see the 101 in the background. You already read Deran's report.

[hueytaxi]

I forgot to add, after completing his innings; Joel rejoined the dugout and remained for several innings. He hung on the rail with the team and you could tell he was back where he belonged. Seldom do you see him in a game with such a big smile. I talked briefly with his brother to acknowledge my positive thoughts on his return.

[cruzer1]

I'm guessing it's important how well and quickly he recovers, so we'll see there.

[VegasTiger]

Can he hit?

[DennisDubay]

Crazy what 3 months will do, eh.

[Eric Cioe]

Originally Posted by VegasTiger

Can he hit?

I think the question after tonight's game is, can he play short?

[Doctor Detroit]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Yeah Lakeland's pitchers charted him at 95-99, and from what I saw they were all 2-seamers with a ton of movement. His curve was at 79-82 and he threw it 4 or 5 times. Pretty filthy. Dave called someone on the cell and he was pretty giddy.

The best part that I got out of it was his location. He was routinely hitting Skelton's mitt and painting the outside corner.

Also, the double was a shatterd bat grounder right over first base that the first baseman wasn't able to get over to quick enough. Not hit hard at all.

Sweet.

[billfer]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Yeah Lakeland's pitchers charted him at 95-99, and from what I saw they were all 2-seamers with a ton of movement. His curve was at 79-82 and he threw it 4 or 5 times. Pretty filthy. Dave called someone on the cell and he was pretty giddy.

The best part that I got out of it was his location. He was routinely hitting Skelton's mitt and painting the outside corner.

Also, the double was a shatterd bat grounder right over first base that the first baseman wasn't able to get over to quick enough. Not hit hard at all.

High 90's with 2 seamers???!!!

[Yoda]

They probably had a good 6-8" of arm-side movement from what I could tell. I wonder if Micro can get some sort of "official" scouting report from the game though.

Anyhow, I posted a few pics here if anyone's interested.

[pfife]

Originally Posted by Buddha

How was he on ground balls? Did he cover first base?

Originally Posted by hueytaxi

nice job.

[pfife]

thanks for the update, I echo the sentiments that this is great news.

[Rocko2]

Thanks for the update & the picts guys! Sounds promising to say the least.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Yoda

They probably had a good 6-8" of arm-side movement from what I could tell. I wonder if Micro can get some sort of "official" scouting report from the game though.

After thinking a bit I probably greatly exaggerated the 6-8" estimation (I do that a lot) but they did move a lot. I don't know how far a good 2-seamer is even capable of moving.

[tys-spikes84]

Originally Posted by Yoda

After thinking a bit I probably greatly exaggerated the 6-8" estimation (I do that a lot) but they did move a lot. I don't know how far a good 2-seamer is even capable of moving.

Yeah I would say 6 feet 8 inches is a slight exaggeration.

[billfer]

Originally Posted by Yoda

After thinking a bit I probably greatly exaggerated the 6-8" estimation (I do that a lot) but they did move a lot. I don't know how far a good 2-seamer is even capable of moving.

Bonderman's 2-seamer runs 10-12 inches and his 4 seamer is 6-8, so it's possible. (using pitch f/x data).

[billfer]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I probably greatly exaggerated the 6-8" estimation (I do that a lot)

This is ripe with possibilities

[tys-spikes84]

Are you sure he was throwing two-seamers? Or was he just getting some good movement on his 4-seamer? Throwing in the upper nineties can give you some movement on a 4-seamer especially with just a little pressure on from your index finger. I would guess that the movement on a 2-seamer is about 3-5 inches. At 98 I don't think the ball has enough time to move 6 to 8 inches in about 56 feet.

[Yoda]

Interesting. I didn't know a 4-seamer would even move that far. I just figured Joel usually throws a 2-seamer because he seems to have a lot more movement than Jeremy and Justin typically get. At any rate, it's the standard movement we usually see on Joel's fastball, whether he gets that with a 4- or 2-seamer, which is usually quite a lot.

[Eric Cioe]

4 seam fastballs often have a lot of run to them. Joel's has always run a ton. I don't think he throws no stinkin' sinker, either. His idea of changing speeds is throwing harder.

Here's him striking out Giambi a few years back. His fastball runs easily 6 inches.

http://swingtraining.net/clips/zumaya-giambi.mpg

[CapitalTigers]

Originally Posted by Yoda

After thinking a bit I probably greatly exaggerated the 6-8" estimation (I do that a lot)....

Yup, I have my Wife convinced that the Metric Centimeter is an inch

[Biff Mayhem]

Originally Posted by VegasTiger

Can he hit?

Last night I received a call from one of the Lakeland faithful who let me know how Zumaya pitched. The first question I asked was "how's his bat?"!

Great minds think alike.