He has not allowed a run this month, a stretch that includes seven appearances and 12 2/3 innings. Wilson, who has a 1.50 ERA, notched his first Tigers victory on Thursday, pitching two scoreless innings in the 6-5, 11-inning win. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
DETROIT — Alex Wilson came to the Detroit Tigers as a throw-in. He’s pitched so well that manager Brad Ausmus will now throw him into virtually any situation.
Wilson was a part of the December trade with Boston that brought left fielder Yoenis Cespedes and sent starting pitcher Rick Porcello to the Red Sox. The right-handed reliever struggled during spring training and did not make the opening-day roster but has thrived since being recalled from Triple A Toledo on April 22.
He has not allowed a run this month, a stretch that includes seven appearances and 12 2/3 innings. Wilson, who has a 1.50 ERA, notched his first Tigers victory on Thursday, pitching two scoreless innings in the 6-5, 11-inning win.
That’s a stark contrast to his rocky time in Lakeland when he allowed six runs in 6 2/3 innings and hitters batted .357 against him.
“He was flying off the ball and had trouble with his command,” Ausmus said of Wilson’s early spring troubles. “He was leaving the ball over the middle. Since the time we sent him down and he started the season in Toledo, he’s done an outstanding job and that’s translated to Detroit.”
Wilson, who had a 1.91 ERA in 28 1/3 innings with Boston last season, has been plugged into a variety of situations. The 28-year-old, who throws a mix of fastballs, cutters and sliders, has pitched three or more innings three times and pitched to three or fewer batters four times.
“We could use him just about anywhere,” Ausmus said. “He can go multiple innings. We’ve used him as a long man and we’ve used him in late situations against right-handed hitters. I’m not afraid to put him in tight situations when we need to get a couple of righties out. We’ve also called on him to pick up some innings when our starters had trouble going deep into the game.”
His effectiveness will give the Tigers a difficult decision once flame-throwing right-hander Bruce Rondon completes his rehab stint in Toledo. The odd man out would likely be Wilson, Al Alburquerque or Angel Nesbitt, unless they decide to go with just one left-hander in the bullpen.
