After Thursday Injury, Outlook On Zimmermann Has Brightened
By: Will Burchfield
@burchie_kid
The Tigers can breathe a sigh of relief.
After Jordan Zimmermann left Thursday's game in the second inning with lat tightness, it appears the injury won't have long-term repercussions.
Zimmermann underwent an MRI after the game and it came back negative, according to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi.
For Zimmermann, it has to be soothing news after a rough outing. The righty surrendered six runs on six hits through 1.2 innings on Thursday afternoon in his first start since coming off the disabled list with a right neck strain.
The lat injury, which contributed to his diminished velocity and erratic command, suggested another D.L. stint was on the horizon.
Fortunately, the outlook has brightened.
Zimmermann will throw a bullpen session on Sunday in his continued effort to regain his early-season form. Prior to Thursday's start, he said he had developed some bad habits toward the end of the first half.
"Now it's just getting myself out of the bad habits and sticking to the new mechanics, the way I've been the last six, seven years," Zimmermann explained. "I just fell into some bad habits for a couple months there but I feel like we're getting better every day."
For the Tigers - and G.M. Al Avila in particular - this feels like a dodged bullet. The team declined to add a starting pitcher at the trade deadline in large part because they expected Zimmermann to make an impact upon his return. Had he ended up on the D.L. after one desultory start, the Tigers, even with a healthy Daniel Norris, would have been heavily compromised moving forward.
Zimmermann's next turn in the rotation will come Tuesday in Seattle. It is unclear, at this point, if he will take the mound, as the Tigers can't afford to send him out there in diminished form.
But the fact that Zimmermann appears to have avoided the D.L. is certainly positive news.
