Bonderman likely to make MLB return Monday

By foxsports
Published

It appears that Jeremy Bonderman will return to the Detroit Tigers' rotation on Monday, one year and one day after undergoing an angioplasty to repair a blood clot in his axillary vein.




Bonderman has made four rehabilitation starts in the minor leagues. He would have more than enough rest to pitch one game of the Tigers' doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox on Monday.

"Is it etched in stone?" Detroit manager Jim Leyland said Thursday morning, in response to a question. "Close."

Bonderman hasn't started in the majors since June 1, 2008. He underwent surgery last June 30 to correct thoracic outlet syndrome, a circulatory ailment.

Assuming Bonderman pitches well on Monday, the Tigers will have a decision to make about how best to configure their final two rotation spots. Dontrelle Willis or Armando Galarraga could move out of the rotation in order to make room for Bonderman.

Bonderman is 14-13 since signing a four-year, $38 million contract extension after the 2006 season.

Leyland also said Thursday morning that he expects outfielder Marcus Thames to return from the disabled list "soon." Thames is hitting .279 during his rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo.