More Experience For Lobstein A Major Upside Of Verlander Injury
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - In a perfect world for the Detroit Tigers, starting pitcher Justin Verlander would be in action now (would have been in action for the start of the season a month ago), so obviously the current situation is less than ideal for the defending American League Central Division champs.
With every game Verlander misses for a triceps strain, however, 25-year-old Kyle Lobstein gets another start under his belt, and that experience could benefit the Tigers (as well as Lobstein) sooner than later.
Looking to next season, the most significant rotation question is obviously David Price, the ace who will be a coveted free agent when the season ends. Another question, however, will be whether fifth starter Alfredo Simon returns. He will also be a free agent following this season.
If the Tigers cannot or elect not to bring back Price or Simon, Lobstein could become a regular in the back end of the rotation next season.
Detroit got some idea of what Lobstein could do last year. He made seven starts, and in six of them he lasted at least five innings, and in five of them he allowed three runs or fewer.
He was not perfect, but he gave the team a chance to win in most of his appearances, and that is what a fourth or fifth starter is expected to do.
This season, the young pitcher has done likewise in five starts through the first week of May. Most recently Lobstein held the Chicago White Sox without an earned run through 7 2/3 innings Thursday. Both in terms of innings pitched and earned runs allowed, those numbers are his best to date.
He ran into some trouble in the fourth but escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam thanks to a double play facilitated by third baseman Nick Castellanos.
Again, Lobstein has not been flawless, but he continues to show he has the necessary attributes to be an average major league starter, and the Tigers could be needing one as early as next season.
Detroit might not currently view Lobstein as a piece of the rotation for next season, but if so, Lobstein likely still has several more opportunities coming up to prove himself.
Verlander, who has been on the disabled list since the beginning of the season with a triceps strain, was cleared Wednesday to resume a throwing progression. Now the pitcher must rebuild his arm strength, however, so it will likely be several more weeks before he could pitch in a game.
A lengthy period of time without Verlander is not ideal for Detroit, but the upside is that Lobstein should get several more starts, gaining more experience with each and becoming a ready-made starter for next season should the Tigers need one.
