Article published April 09, 2008
MUD HENS NOTEBOOK
Call for Fossum came from Tigers
By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
Being a left-handed pitcher, Casey Fossum knew his phone would ring.
The call Fossum was waiting for came on Saturday, when the Detroit Tigers phoned to invite him to continue his career with the Mud Hens.
Fossum, who has spent most of the last seven years pitching in the majors but was cut by the Pittsburgh Pirates at the end of spring training, said he signed with the Tigers Sunday and reported to Toledo yesterday. He is currently on the temporary inactive list, where Hens manager Larry Parrish said he would remain until he builds up arm strength.
Fossum said an illness during spring training kept him out of action for a week, and said he pitched just five innings with the Pirates. He said he was at home with his wife and three children in Austin for about 10 days waiting for a team to express an interest, and was a soccer dad last week.
"I'm left-handed and I've been around a while," Fossum said. "I was enjoying my time at home with my kids. Things happen on pitching staffs early in the season, and left-handed pitching is always in high demand."
Fossum, 30, has a career major league record of 37-52 with a 5.46 ERA. He pitched the last three seasons for the Tampa Bay Rays, who released him on Aug. 10.Current Tigers pitching coach Chuck Hernandez held the same job in Tampa during Fossum's first season with the Rays, when he went 8-12 with a 4.92 ERA. Fossum said Hernandez's presence in Detroit was one reason he signed with the Tigers.
Parrish said the Tigers would dictate whether Fossum is placed in the starting rotation or pitches out of the bullpen in Toledo.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK: Hens pitcher Macay McBride was back in Toledo yesterday, but he will be in New York tomorrow to get a second opinion on his ailing left elbow.
On Monday Tigers doctors diagnosed McBride with a stretched ligament in his elbow, which could require season-ending surgery. McBride will get a second opinion from Dr. David Altchek, medical director for the New York Mets.
"I believe [the Tigers' diagnosis], but before I jump to anything that can alter the season I want to double-check," McBride said.
McBride, who was removed after one inning from his start on Saturday, said he felt some discomfort during spring training. Doctors told him the damaged ligament was causing bones in his elbow to rub together.
McBride said it is possible to avoid surgery and heal his injury through rehabilitation, but said if that doesn't work he will have wasted valuable months he could've spent recovering from surgery.
"That's a decision I'm going to have to make after this appointment," he said.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Hens designated hitter Timo Perez turned 33 yesterday. It appears his present was getting to play against the Charlotte Knights this week.
Perez entered the Hens' four-game series against the Knights having batted .404 against them last year, and went 3-for-5 with four RBIs against Charlotte on Monday night.
TONIGHT: Hens right-hander Armando Galarraga (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against Charlotte righty Tomo Ohka (0-0, 6.75 ERA) at 6:30 p.m. at Fifth Third Field.
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