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Tigers Option Willis To Class A

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 11, 2008

Updated: 06/11/2008 12:44 am

DETROIT - After watching yet another wild show on the mound, the Detroit Tigers sent Dontrelle Willis down to Class A on Tuesday in hopes the struggling lefty can find his control.

The Tigers optioned the former Florida Marlins pitcher to Lakeland of the Florida State League - and home to the Tigers' spring training camp - a day after he matched a career high by giving eight earned runs on five walks and three hits in 11/3 innings against Cleveland.

Willis (0-1) has walked 21 batters in 111/3 innings. The 8-2 loss to the Indians came in his second start since going on the disabled list with a hyperextended right knee.

"Our objective is to get Dontrelle back to being Dontrelle," Tigers president, CEO and general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "We don't want to put a time frame on this. We want to get it right. The arm strength is still there, on occasion. The breaking ball is still there. But we want to get him back to being comfortable throwing strikes."

Detroit signed Willis to a $29 million, three-year deal after getting him in a trade last winter with the Marlins.

Smoltz Has Surgery, Future Uncertain

ATLANTA - John Smoltz had the labrum in his right shoulder repaired on Tuesday, and the Braves said it will be months before the pitcher knows if his career can resume.

James Andrews and an associate performed the arthroscopic procedure in Birmingham, Ala. Smoltz said last week he expected to get a definitive word on his comeback hopes immediately after the operation, but no such announcement was made public.

"The prognosis on John's shoulder is unclear based on the findings of Tuesday's surgery," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "We will know more as John starts to progress through his rehab."

Braves spokesman Brad Hainje said it will be months before it will be known if Smoltz can pitch again.

The Braves did not release details of the damage to the labrum repaired in the surgery.

The 41-year-old Smoltz was on the disabled list twice with shoulder problems before ending his season to have the surgery.

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