Down on the Farm: Crosby Off DL, Simons Released

After a brief stint on the disabled list Casey Crosby was recalled earlier today. Earlier this month Crosby found himself on the DL with a strained left rotator cuff. In 12 starts this season Crosby is 4-2 with a 3.32 ERA. Crosby has racked up 55 strikeouts and walked 40 in 65 innings of work for the AA-Erie SeaWolves.

Coupled with the great news of Crosby’s return comes some disappointing news in regards to the corresponding move.

Relief pitcher Zach Simons was released by the Detroit Tigers earlier today. Simons came to the Tigers in 2008 when they traded reliever Jason Grilli to the Colorado Rockies.

This season Simons had struggled a bit posting a 5.05 ERA in 35 2/3 innings of work. His strikeouts per nine had dipped down a bit and he had allowed an uncharacteristic 2.5 HR per nine. Zach Simons is a much better pitcher than that though, plain and simple. He had logged nearly 70 innings and posted an ERA below 3.00 every season since joining the organization. Zach was also known for keeping the ball in the yard and striking out at or above a batter an inning.

Simons will forever be remembered by me as a solid reliever that never got a real chance in this organization. Despite his outstanding numbers he never received a call-up or spring training invite. Simons practically had to move mountains to get noticed while dealing with a noticeable small margin for error placed upon him by the organization.

Earlier this season Zach was kind enough to participate in a Q&A with MCB. I think I speak for all of us here at MCB when I say that his release is a big surprise and questionable move. I wish Zach the best of luck and have no doubts that he will catch on somewhere.

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