Back Once More In Detroit, Norris Desperate To Help Tigers Win
By Will Burchfield @Burchiekid
DETROIT (CBS DETROIT) - Daniel Norris, 23, has pitched in the big leagues for less than two years. And he's endured enough setbacks in that span for an entire career.
First, and most frighteningly, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the middle of the 2015 season. Undeterred, he finished out the year with the Tigers, even recovering from an oblique strain in August. (As if cancer wasn't enough.)
He shined in his final four starts of 2015, before undergoing successful thyroid surgery in October. His body was cured.
Only it failed him again in spring training in 2016, when a back injury forced the southpaw to the disabled list. So Norris toiled away in the minors, first with Single-A Lakeland and then with Triple-A Toledo, eventually reclaiming his spot in the Tigers' rotation in late June. He was back.
Only he was gone again just three starts later, when the same oblique strain reared its ugly head. So it was back to the D.L. and back to Lakeland for Norris, his season derailed just as it was gaining steam.
Once again, Norris diligently worked himself back into shape and then made the long trip to Toledo for another rehab start. He was as much a Mud Hen as a Tiger by now, as native to the mound at Fifth Third Field as Comerica Park.
Making his 14th start of the season for the Mud Hens last night – compared to just three for the Tigers – Norris once again inspired optimism. He threw 67 pitches over four innings, giving up one run (on a homer) and tallying four strikeouts.
On Tuesday, he was back in Detroit in the Tiger's locker room, just where he was before this storm of ill health had descended upon him. As always, he was soft-spoken and courteous, but burning to get back on the field in a Tigers' uniform.
Just how antsy is he to return?
"Very, very," he replied, his measured tone masking his fervor. "I feel good, so I want to get out there and help the team win. That's the main focus and I feel like I'm ready to do that."
It has quietly become the chorus to his career: I want to get out there and help the team win. It's hardly an original line, but it comes across as genuine. Norris seems to sense how much the fans believe in him and how much the Tigers expect of him. Moreover, he seems to be acutely aware of how badly he is needed down the stretch. All he wants to do is deliver.
At this point, though, the Tigers' plans for him aren't entirely clear.
"They're still talking about it," Norris said. "I talked to them this morning and they were still kind of kicking around. We'll know pretty soon though."
After Monday night's game, Ausmus said they'd like to see Norris throw somewhere between 80-85 pitches in a rehab start before he re-enters the rotation. He echoed that sentiment on Tuesday afternoon, explaining Norris' stamina, not so much his health, is the biggest question mark.
"I'm not really concerned about the injury anymore as much as if [his] pitch count's high enough to give him a start," Ausmus said.
It's likely the Tigers will err on the side of caution with Norris, given his recent familiarity with the D.L. Norris, for his part, would likely pitch tomorrow if the team let him.
He's spent enough time recovering. You can hear it in his voice. Back once more in Detroit, he wants to stick around and contribute.
