Down with Figaro, Up with French
June 28th, 2009 | by jelletlambie |Fresh off a major league whipping at the hands of the Houston astros Alfredo Figaro is being sent back to the minor leagues, at least for now. As Jason Beck reported earlier, Lucas French will join the big club early in the week in Oakland and is slated to start Friday night against the Twins in place of Figaro.
The move will provide a left-handed buffer between hard throwing righties Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson. French will have company in the familiar face of his Mudhens teammate Fu-Te Ni. Like French, he’s a lefty, although he’ll be seen out of the bullpen, in place of Nate Robertson who was placed on the 15 day DL with elbow issues, reportedly a cyst that could threaten the rest of his season.
The two new left-handers are being recalled in advance of a critical series with the Twins, who are powered by left handed hitting machines Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. I have to believe the match-up advantage was the key cog in this decision, although Figaro did little to help his cause yesterday. I wrote before last nights game that Figaro was a player to watch this week, especially in advance of his scheduled start against 10 game winner Kevin Slowey Friday night on the road in the Humphrey Dome. Instead Lucas French will open the series, to be followed by Edwin Jackson and Rick Porcello.
Tags: Alfredo Figaro sent down, Edwin Jackson, Fu-Te Ni, Lucas French, Nate Robertson, Rick Porcello, Tigers prepare to battle twins, Tigers roster moves, Toledo Mudhens, two Mudhens called up
By BigJP on Jun 29, 2009
to paraphrase a comment I once recieved…
Bring me the Tickler! Bring him to me now! Let his lefthandedness wash over opposing teams!
..or something like that.
I am a fan of this move, for sure.
By jelletlambie on Jun 29, 2009
That does look familiar….I believe 5 or 6 Labatts Blue Lights had something to do with the posting of that comment (he says with Canadian pride)