Zimmermann hoping to start next weekend

DETROIT — Jordan Zimmermann was scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday in one last attempt to work his way back into the Tigers’ rotation. Instead, he found his way into a real game Sunday, and his three innings of relief could earn him a start in a must-win game in the season’s final weekend. 

It was an odd turn of events in an odd game, a 12-9 Tigers loss that saw Detroit use four members of its April rotation in relief of Matt Boyd, who didn’t join the rotation for good until July. But with the Tigers desperately seeking outs, it was the kind of low-leverage situation worth throwing Zimmerman into. 

“It’s better than a sim game,” manager Brad Ausmus said, “because you can see how hitters are reacting to [his pitches]. We had talked to him a couple of days ago about being available out of the ‘pen if it was a lopsided game, getting him in there for a few innings and then we can see how hitters are reacting to his stuff.” 

Thus, with an 11-6 score after six innings, on came Zimmermann, making just the second relief appearance of his Major League career. 

“They gave me a whole inning to get loose [in the bullpen],” Zimmermann said. “I had plenty of time. The adrenaline just starts rushing. That was only my second time coming out of the …

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