We’ve been told so many times by Jeremy that he was going to be just fine. We heard this before the Tigers called up Virgil Vasquez and we heard it earlier this week. Leyland, who usually does a good job of hedging his bets, said this earlier:

“He’s coming along really good,” manager Jim Leyland said Sunday afternoon. “Three days ago, I was doubtful that he would [be able to] pitch today, and we were right about that. I’m confident that he will pitch Friday. I don’t know that I’m right about it, but I’m confident that he’ll pitch Friday.”

To be fair it is hard to judge how fast a blister will heal up until you are out and throwing. Bonderman did just that today and felt that if he took the mound it would just open back up again and we’d go through this process one more time.

To fill in the Tigers are brining up Andrew Miller who had his first start at Class AA Erie last Friday and looked very good. I am surprised they chose Miller to get the start and they chose him with the possibility in mind that it could be more than one start.

The Tigers won’t immediately activate Bonderman from the DL just in case he isn’t ready, in which case Miller would start again. But as soon as Bonderman is ready to pitch in a game, the plan is for Miller to be sent out.

This could also be a mini-audition for a relief role with Zumaya on the DL. Something Kurt @ Mack Avenue Tigers discussed before today’s moves.

Miller will get his start Friday night at Comerica Park against the St. Louis Cardinals. I’m looking forward to seeing what, if anything, he’s learned or improved upon since September.

Links on this topic around the horn:

- Danny Knobbler @ MLive Tiger Insider
- Detroit Free Press
- Jason Beck @ MLB.com
- Detroit News
- Bill Ferris @ The Detroit Tiger Weblog
- Lee Panas @ Tiger Tales