Eddie

Bonine

He’ll make $500,000 if he earns an Opening Day roster spot. Bonine missed all of 2012 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He most recently posted a 5.16 ERA and 44/8 K/BB ratio over 45 1/3 innings in 2011 for the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate.

Bonine signed a split contract with the Diamondbacks this offseason, so they only ended up having to pay him a minor league salary. He posted a 6.30 ERA in four appearances with Triple-A Reno. Bonine will look to reestablish himself with another team after missing all of 2012 due to Tommy John surgery.

Bonine was released by the Diamondbacks on Saturday morning but was jobless for only a few hours. The righty had a 6.30 ERA in four appearances at Triple-A Reno. He’s still building strength following Tommy John surgery.

Bonine made the Tigers by allowing just one run in 16 1/3 innings this spring, but once the season started, he returned to the form that got him bumped from the 40-man roster back in February. He gave up eight runs and 16 hits in eight innings.

Bonine started the second half of a double header Friday, pitching six innings and coughing up three runs. He gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out four so he wasn’t exactly impressive. He now has a 7.07 ERA on the season. He’ll probably return the next time the Tigers need a starting pitcher.

Bonine had a 4.67 ERA in Triple-A. He’ll start the second half of a doubleheader against the White Sox on Friday, but may be optioned soon after.

Bonine, who was removed from Detroit’s 40-man roster back in February, made the Tigers by giving up just one run in 16 1/3 innings this spring. Combined, the three relievers above posted a 0.42 ERA in 43 innings.

With his name involved in trade talks, Raburn still has a chance of opening the season in the majors. Rapada’s demotion is the real surprise here. He was penciled in at the start of camp, and he had a 1.64 ERA and a 10/1 K/BB ratio in 11 innings. However, the surprising decision to put Nate Robertson in the pen left him without a spot. The Tigers figure to have one of the game’s worst rotations and will definitely need innings from their relievers, so they figured Eddie Bonine would make more sense than a second specialist to go along with Bobby Seay.

Bonine earned his first win of the season, scattering six hits while walking two and striking out three. He induced nine groundballs in the win, including a key double play in the first, snuffing out a rally. The 28-year-old right-hander has a 4.46 ERA and 1.51 WHIP over 10 appearances (four starts) this season. The Tigers now find themselves three games in front with four to go.

Bonine, originally scheduled to start on Saturday, will now start on Friday, with Robertson getting an extra day of rest and taking the mound on Saturday. Only Robertson is a viable option in AL-only leagues.