DETROIT - It has been almost one month since the Detroit Tigers sent lefthander Dontrelle Willis to Class A Lakeland to work on his control.
Problem knee keeps Willis' rehabilitation, and season, in limbo
July 8, 2008 at 4:26AM
Willis has appeared in only one game there, against Daytona nine days ago. He gave up one earned run -- on one hit and three walks -- in two innings.
Willis was scheduled to return to Detroit this week to have his right knee examined, the team said Monday. That is the same knee he hyperextended in April, forcing him onto the disabled list for the first time in his big-league career. The setback reduces the chance Willis will pitch again in the majors this season.
Willis, 26, has had a turbulent first season with the Tigers, after arriving in a trade with the Florida Marlins. He is 0-1 with a 10.32 ERA in the big leagues this season. He was sent to Lakeland after allowing eight earned runs in a June 9 start against Cleveland.
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Gerrit Cole gave up his opt-out right on Monday and will remain with the New York Yankees under a contract that runs through 2028 rather than become a free agent.
