Freddy

Dolsi

Dolsi had a 0.96 ERS in 9 1/3 innings, but just two strikeouts. His 4.35 ERA at Triple-A Toledo this year is likely a better gauge of his abilities.

Dolsi will take over for Ryan Perry, who was dumped to Triple-A Monday morning after allowing five earned runs last week in a 4 1/3-inning span. Dolsi, 26, had a 4.35 ERA, a 19/11 K/BB ratio and four saves for the Toledo Mud Hens. He’s allowed just a single run in his last 10 2/3 innings.

Dolsi has a 0.96 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in nine-plus innings with the Tigers this season. He could stick around for a while if he continues the success.

In two stints with the Tigers this year, Dolsi put up a 1.69 ERA in 10 2/3 innings with a 1.59 WHIP and 3/4 K/BB rate. He should be back when rosters expand in September.

Dolsi had allowed one run in nine innings since being sent down on Aug. 14. He could move right back into a late-inning role in the Detroit bullpen.

“I’m going to back off him a little bit,” said Leyland. “I’m just going to watch him closely and maybe start using somebody else a little bit from time to time.” It’s hard to tell what this means, other than that Jones won’t be used as much in back-to-back games. We can guess that Fernando Rodney, Joel Zumaya, and Freddy Dolsi are in line for more saves, but who knows. Leyland could be just trying to quiet some critics who want Jones out of the closer’s role.

The Tigers would like step up their efforts to trade for a reliever if Dolsi doesn’t feel better in the next few days. They could also look to trade for a starter and put Zach Miner back in the pen.

Dolsi hadn’t worked in five days because of shoulder fatigue.

Dolsi should return to the Tigers ‘pen early next week. He’s 1-4 with a 4.85 ERA in 29.2 innings this year. Manager Jim Leyland had this to say about his rookie on Friday: “I’ve been very impressed with him. He’ll come to spring training next year and hopefully improve his breaking ball, but he’s a good project.”

Called up in early May, Dolsi went 1-4 with a 3.96 ERA in 33 appearances, but his awful 17/23 K/BB ratio in 38 2/3 innings shows that he struggled quite a bit. The Tigers’ bullpen is expected to get Todd Jones back from the disabled list Friday.