Detroit – Does side-arming right-hander Nolan Blackwood, who spent the bulk of 2019 dominating hitters at Double-A Erie with just three forgettable Triple-A innings at Toledo, have a legitimate chance of making the Tigers 30-man roster?
On a team whose bullpen worked 641 innings last season and posted an ERA of just under 5.0 (4.94)? Of course he does. Especially when Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire professes to an affinity for relievers who attack hitters in unconventional ways.
“I’ve always liked a little different look and a little funk,” said Gardenhire, who helped side-winder Pat Neshek make a lot of money with the Twins and has used both Louis Coleman and John Schreiber out of the Tigers’ bullpen.