For years, Joel Zumaya was the young dynamic arm in the Detroit Tigers bullpen that gave AL Central offenses fits late in games. Then came the injury bug that strikes so many hurlers who throw so hard. Now as Zumaya tries a comeback, he will do so in familiar territory as he signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins.
“Zumaya, 27, told Beck that he was weighing “good offers” from three other clubs, but signed with the Twins because they offered him guaranteed money and not a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training," writes Mike Axisa. "The Tigers were not on his short list, and earlier today we learned the Red Sox and Padres were among the clubs with serious interest.
“The flamethrowing right-hander has not pitched since June of 2010 due a fracture in his throwing elbow, an injury he suffered at Target Field and the latest ailment in a laundry list of injuries. In the five seasons since his dominant rookie campaign in 2006 (1.95 ERA and 10.5 K/9 in 83 1/3 innings), Zumaya has undergone five surgeries, including two on his elbow, two on his shoulder, and one on his right middle finger.”