Detroit Tigers News: Luke Putkonen
The Detroit Tigers have recalled right-hander Luke Putkonen from Triple-A, in order to take the roster spot of the injured Octavio Dotel who was placed on the disabled list. Putkonen will likely be used as an MRP and had a stint with the MLB club this season but allowed seven runs in just 7.1 innings for almost a run per inning.
Octavio Dotel was a solid, cheap offseason signing and is a solid reliever. He was placed on the 15-day DL (retroactive to June 3rd) with inflammation in his right elbow. Dotel has not pitched in ten days.
The Tigers needed to make the move to bring up Putkonen to get an arm in the bullpen, because it’s not ideal to be unable to go full strength with ones relievers. Detroit has solved that problem by placing Dotel on the DL and clearing up space to bring up Putkonen to pitch in the interim. There is also the matter of it being uncertain as to how severe the inflammation is and whether or not Dotel will be able to be activated on the 18th of June (when he is eligible to come off).
After a great 2011 season in which he got back to his 2009 form after a down year in 2010, Octavio Dotel has been unlucky in 18.1 innings this season. His 4.42 ERA does not tell the whole story, as he has had an unlucky HR/FB% and a .300 BABIP that is higher than his career average of .277. Dotel should finish the year with a 3.60 ERA and should easily eclipse ten strikeouts per nine as one of the top strikeout artists in the game.
Luke Putkonen has pitched in 19.2 MiLB innings in his first year in Triple-A with a 3.20 ERA and a solid 8.24 K/9 (his BB/9 matches his ERA). Last season in 52.1 Double-A innings, Putkonen struck out just four batters per nine with a 7.57 ERA.
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