Detroit Tigers SP Dontrelle Willis allowed three runs on four hits over 5 1/3 innings Saturday, Sept. 27, against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to The Associated Press. He walked three and struck out a season-high five hitters. It was the first time this season where Willis had pitched more than one inning without walking at least five batters.

Dontrelle Willis surrendered three runs in 5 1/3 innings Saturday versus the Rays. Willis walked three and threw 56 of his 95 pitches for strikes against a lineup that included just one regular (Evan Longoria). [...]

Tigers lefty Dontrelle Willis wasn't terrible, going 5.1 innings, allowing three earned runs while walking three and striking out five in Detroit's 4-3 win over Tampa.At least Willis got his ERA under 10.00 for the season. He was a nightmare for both fantasy owners - who forgot about him sometime in May - and the Tigers, who can't forget about him because of the tens of millions they owe him.

News: Tigers SP Dontrelle Willis had walked 11 men in his last two starts. He limited that to just three walks on Saturday in his final start of the year against the Rays. He couldn't avoid picking up a no decision, however. Willis allowed three runs on four hits over 5 1/3 innings. He added five strikeouts. His ERA finishes at 9.38 for the year.

Analysis: The former Fantasy ace is obviously not a guy you want to start right now, and he might even go undrafted in 2009. This was a nightmare of a season for Willis. Of course, now he's a sleeper for next year if he can bounce back

Detroit Tigers SP Dontrelle Willis (0-2, 10.61 ERA) will start Saturday, Sept. 27, against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to The Associated Press.

Leyland said on Monday that he was going to raise the idea in passing with Willis, and mentioned it to Willis later on Tuesday evening. They didn't get into details such as where he would play and what kind of workload he would have. That lack of efficiency stemming from his pitch command is another reason why the club would like him to give winter ball a shot. With six walks over 2 1/3 innings Sunday, Sept. 21 at Cleveland, the 26-year-old left-hander has now walked 32 batters over 18 2/3 innings for the Tigers this year. Just 207 of his 425 pitches have gone for strikes.

Tigers lefty Dontrelle Willis says he will pitch winter ball if the team desires him to, according to MLB.com.Willis has been hideous this season, walking a completely ridiculous 15.43 batters per nine innings. He has to do something to regain the control he once had, so he'll give winter ball a shot.

The Detroit News reports Detroit Tigers SP Dontrelle Willis allowed five hits, six walks, six runs and three wild pitches in 2 1/3 innings of work Sunday, Sept. 21, in a 10-5 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

Willis continues to have serious control problems, as the funky-throwing southpaw has issued 11 walks over his 7 1/3 innings back from the Minors. He now sports a 10.61 ERA for the season and should be benched in all formats.

Dontrelle Willis was horrendous for the Tigers, taking the loss while going just 2.1 innings, giving up five hits and walking six in Detroit's 10-5 loss to the Indians.Willis has been a disaster to end all disasters this season, and whether he ever gets it back is a question that needs to be considered.

Dontrelle Willis was rocked for six runs in just 2 1/3 innings against the Indians on Sunday. Still doesn't have it. Willis walked six, threw three wild pitches, and gave up four singles and a triple. [...]

News: Tigers SP Dontrelle Willis pitched five innings in his long-awaited return to the rotation Monday at Texas, leaving with a 4-3 lead. Willis allowed three runs and two hits with four strikeouts, but he gave up five walks and is still seeking his first win for the Tigers. "I didn't really know if I would pitch in the big leagues again this season, so it was a big game for me," Willis said. "I've got to cut down on the walks."

Analysis: Willis has spent most of this season in the minors. He lowered his major league ERA from 10.32 to 8.82 this season, but he still has walked 26 batters in 16 1/3 innings. He was once a Fantasy stud, but you obviously can't rely on him in any format right now. His next start is scheduled for Monday against the Royals

It was Willis' first action since June 9, as the funky-throwing southpaw spent much of the season harnessing his control in the Minors. But the Tigers could not be pleased with the five walks, as Willis has now issued 26 free passes over 16 1/3 frames on the year to go with his ghastly 8.82 ERA. He'll need to show some serious signs of improvement down the stretch before he can be recommended for drafts for next season.

It was Willis' first action since June 9, as the funky-throwing southpaw spent much of the season harnessing his control in the Minors. Willis now has a 8.82 ERA with 26 walks over his 16 1/3 innings on the year and will look to show some signs of improvement next time out.

The Associated Press reports Detroit Tigers SP Dontrelle Willis pitched five innings and received the no-decision Monday, Sept. 15, in his return to the rotation. He gave up three runs and two hits while striking out four and walking five.

Dontrelle Willis yielded three runs over five innings on Monday night in his first start since June 9. The good news: he allowed only two hits and lowered his ERA from 10. [...]

In his first start since being called back up to the majors, Dontrelle Willis at least made it to the fifth inning. In his five innings Willis gave up three runs on only two hits.One of the problems Willis had before being sent down was his control and Monday night wasn't much different, he walked five in five innings.

Dontrelle Willis will start for the Tigers against the Rangers next Monday, the MLB.com reports.We have nothing to suggest Willis will be successful. His minor league numbers have been ugly, and Rangers fans sitting in the front row might want to wear helmets.

Willis, who was demoted to Class A Lakleland in early June to work on his delivery and improve his command, threw a pair of simulated games in Detroit over the past week and a half. "I think he's throwing the ball good," said Leyland. "And we'll see how it plays out." As for Garcia, the veteran hurler has made three starts on the farm since being signed by Detroit to a Minor League deal last month. Leyland has said that both pitchers will likely get one additional start before season's end.

Dontrelle Willis will make his first start since June 9 when he faces the A's next Monday. Willis' control problems aren't supposed to quite so bad now, but he still has to be avoided in AL-only leagues. [...]

News: Dontrelle Willis and Freddy Garcia will get starts for the Tigers next week. After spending most of the season at Class A Lakeland working on his control, Willis will start at the Athletics next Monday night. Willis was acquired from the Marlins last December along with Miguel Cabrera, and the 2003 NL Rookie of the Year was bothered by a knee injury early in the season. He went 0-1 with a 10.32 ERA in four starts and one relief appearance for the Tigers. Garcia, who hasn't pitched in the major leagues since June 2007, is to start at Oakland on Sept. 17. After recovering from shoulder surgery, the 33-year-old right-hander agreed a minor league with the Tigers last month and pitched a combined five scoreless innings in two starts with Class A Lakeland and Triple-A Toledo.

Analysis: Willis might not be a two-start pitcher at this point, but watch the reports through the weekend, because he might be. We have to admit he is a risky only worth taking in deeper AL-only formats out of necessity right now

Jason Beck, of MLB.com, reports Detroit Tigers SP Dontrelle Willis will start Monday, Sept. 15, according to manager Jim Leyland. Willis will likely receive another start before the end of the season.

The Associated Press reports Detroit Tigers SP Dontrelle Willis threw a simulated game Monday, Sept. 8.

Dontrelle Willis threw between 75 and 80 pitches Monday afternoon in a simulated game, according to MLive.com. The club remains uncertain when he will be able to return to the Tigers, but Willis said, "It was good work. I had good command and threw some good changeups. Last time, I did not throw good changeups."Manager Jim Leyland felt he displayed better velocity Monday than he did in his previous outing, but Willis is unlikely to help fantasy owners claim their league title if and when he returns.

News: According to The Sports Xchange notes: LHP Dontrelle Willis and RHP Freddy An. Garcia will throw some more practice innings Monday at Comerica Park against Detroit hitters who need extra swings. Manager Jim Leyland sounds as if he's changing his mind and that he might let Willis return this season. "I would hope so," was Leyland's response Saturday when asked about Willis starting again before the end of the season. "Obviously there will be a moment at some time when he has to pitch." Leyland also said he hopes Garcia, still on a minor league contract, can pitch for Detroit this year. "You can split a game if that's the route you choose to take," Leyland said. "But I don't know how that will play out."

Analysis: Willis is nothing more than a high-risk spot starter or a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of AL-only leagues that use true middle men down the stretch

Manager Jim Leyland said Sunday that Dontrelle Willis may rejoin the Tigers' rotation later this month. "Obviously there will be a moment at some time when he has to pitch," Leyland said. [...]

Jim Leyland said he hoped that Dontrelle Willis would be able to start for the Tigers before the season is over according to the AP. He threw a simulated game on Tuesday in which he hit 94 mph on the radar gun.Willis was a disaster in April and has had a tumultuous season in the minors. He now finally appears like he may be nearing his major league comeback.

News: Detroit manager Jim Leyland also said he hoped Dontrelle Willis and Freddy Garcia would be able to start before the season is over. They'll pitch in another simulated game on Monday. Willis is on the active roster, but Garcia -- signed last month -- is not.

Analysis: After an early-season wild streak, Willis was sent to Class A Lakeland to work on his control. He was then promoted to Toledo, where he was 3-2 with a 4.45 ERA in six starts. He will pitch out of the bullpen to start with, but could see some starts in September. The same goes for Garcia, who struggled in 11 starts for the Phillies last season and hasn't appeared in the majors this season. Leave them both for AL-only leagues

The Associated Press reports Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland hopes SP Dontrelle Willis will be able to start before the season is over. He will pitch a simulated game Monday, Sept 8.

Dontrelle Willis hurled a 72-pitch simulated game Tuesday, and is scheduled for another one Monday, according to the Detroit News. Manager Jim Leyland was pleased with his outing and said, "I was very happy with Dontrelle. I thought he was a little tentative at the beginning, but began to throw free and easy. He popped the ball very well and got better as he went on. He hit 94 on the gun, pitched around 91. His delivery was much more controlled. I also thought he looked pretty confident. Some of his pitches were exploding late, which is a good sign."Leyland may be pleased, but remains uncertain if the Tigers should bring him back this season, and what role to designate him with.

Dontrelle Willis threw a 72-pitch simulated game Tuesday and is scheduled to do so again Monday. "I was very happy with Dontrelle," manager Jim Leyland said. [...]

Updating an earlier item, The Associated Press reports Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland was pleased with SP Dontrelle Willis’ showing in a simulated game Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Garcia sent down the side in order in one inning, shattering Jeff Larish's bat on a line drive toward second before sending down Mike Hessman swinging at a slider that dropped on him at the last minute. Willis came back in the bottom of the inning and recovered from his one walk with back-to-back strikeouts, sending down Dane Sardinha on a checked swing before overpowering Larish on a high fastball. Willis topped out at 94 mph on his fastball and regularly hit 91, according to manager Jim Leyland. His delivery, Leyland said, was "much more controlled." Garcia's 55 pitches included fastballs in the mid-80s, the same or slightly lower than the 86-87 mph he hit regularly in his start last Thursday for Triple-A Toledo. His other pitches, however, seem to be close to regular-season form. That leaves Garcia's arm strength as the biggest hurdle, but one that can only be addressed through more work and patience as he works his way back from last year's shoulder surgery. But as Leyland pointed out, Garcia was winning two years ago with a fastball in the mid-80s and an abundance of guile.

The Associated Press reports Detroit Tigers SP Freddy Garcia will pitch a simulated game Tuesday, Sept. 2, against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. SP Dontrelle Willis will be his opponent.

The Associated Press reports Detroit Tigers SP Dontrelle Willis will pitch a simulated game Tuesday, Sept. 2, against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. SP Freddy Garcia will be his opponent.

The Sports Network reports the Detroit Tigers recalled SP Dontrelle Willis from Triple-A Toledo. Willis was 3-2 with a 4.45 ERA in six starts there.

Tigers recalled LHP Dontrelle Willis from Triple-A Toledo. Willis is back in the majors, but there are no immediate plans to get him into a game. He's expected to throw a simulated game on Tuesday. [...]