Detroit News: Willis returns and Rogers goes

On the night [Dontrelle] Willis returned to the mound after months of trying to rid himself of control problems, [Kenny] Rogers, it was learned, has probably thrown his last pitch as a Tiger.

Willis didn’t get a decision in his first start Monday night since June 9, but threw five innings, allowing three runs on two hits and five walks. When he threw strikes, Willis was effective, except for a home run by Travis Metcalf. When he didn’t throw strikes, he got himself in trouble—the same problem he had earlier in the year.

Metcalf’s blast was a three-run shot because of two walks ahead of it.

There were stretches of real promise, though, such as the eight consecutive hitters Willis retired after a four-pitch walk to the first batter he faced. In all he threw 89 pitches, 47 of them for strikes.

That ratio needs improvement, but with possibly two more starts before the end of the season, Willis will get a chance to end the season on an encouraging note.