Say this about the Detroit Tigers’ set bullpen roles: They’re fluid.
Nobody but closer Francisco Rodriguez has one, manager Brad Ausmus said, and after right-hander Bruce Rondon’s latest struggles in this afternoon’s loss to the Red Sox, he likely has lost his place in the late innings for the time being.
Ausmus wouldn’t say that specifically, instead saying that along with pitching coach Rich Dubee and bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer, “We’ll figure it out.”
After a subpar spring in which his velocity was down from the high-90 m.p.h. of previous seasons, the Tigers were hoping Rondon would figure it out when the regular season lights turned on.