Feeling Some Durbin Guilt

I’ll admit it. I feel bad for Chad Durbin.

After an inauspicious start to the 2007 season, Durbin proved to be more than serviceable in the number-five spot in the Tigers’ rotation. In fact, the guy had some downright stellar performances. Nevertheless, he’s the odd man out of the rotation and is being sent to the bully.

You’ve gotta feel for him, don’t you?

Andrew Miller for Durbin in the rotation is an upgrade. No question. Still, I don’t think — and was happy to see Jim Leyland say as much — that Durbin pitched himself out of a spot. The numbers game caught up to him but I’m sure we’ll see him making the occasional spot start.

Don’t know about you, but I actually feel better about handing the ball to Durbin than I would ye olde Wil Ledezma.

If nothing else, this move improves the chances that Josh Wallen will see other pitchers start games he attends at Comerica Park.