Dontrelle Willis made his return to our starting rotation Monday night, and he pitched really well. After walking the first batter he faced, everything settled into place and he looked really good. He went on to get a no-decision after pitching five solid innings, giving up three runs and striking out four.
One thing that people don't realize is that any player's first time back either from an injury or from being sent down to the minor leagues is almost like making his very first appearance in the big leagues. The speed of a game in the big leagues, along with the talent of the players, can't be simulated at any other level of the minor leagues. That first time back, there are jitters and a lot of nervousness. It stays that way until you make your first pitch, first out, swing at your first pitch, catch your first ball or get your first hit. You can try your knowledge when you are down in the minors to get your mind as close to the intensity of the big leagues, but when you finally step into a big league stadium, everything is different.
Willis' return adds a bit of confidence, not only for himself but also for the rest of the pitching staff and for our manager, Jim Leyland, to know that another starter is ready to help finish the season.
Freddy Garcia will make his first start since June of last year Wednesday and will go through a lot of the same feelings that Willis went through on Monday. If Garcia is able to come out and also have a strong performance, it will add to the big picture of things that we as a franchise will be able to do moving forward.
The main focus is to get Garcia through his start on Wednesday, then to get Willis at least one more start before the season ends. We can then build from that into next year's spring training and the start of the 2009 season.
Curtis Granderson
