Detroit Tigers: Nesbitt debuts, Injury front, Weird Comerica Park food

It was another fun day at the office Wednesday as the Tigers, again, shutout the Twins, 11-0. It was also one in which relief pitcher Angel Nesbitt couldn’t fell his legs.

The fact he entered the game with a nine-run cushion couldn’t calm his nerves, and understandably so, because it was Nesbitt’s major league debut.

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With the Tigers ahead, 9-0, it was hardly a jam, but Nesbitt did come into the seventh inning with two runners aboard and two outs. He did not allow a runner to score as he promptly induced Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki to ground out.

Nesbitt’s role might very well expand because after the game on Wednesday, the Tigers announced closer Joe Nathan would be placed on the 15-day disabled list. Nathan recorded a one-out save on Monday, but felt something unusual after his last pitch and then didn’t feel well again while playing catch on Wednesday.

Relief pitcher Joakim Soria will assume the closer role for the Tigers while Nathan is sidelined.

Meanwhile, it appears the Tigers bullpen is not the only item that could be needing replacements. Comerica Park’s brand new Southwest Pork Mac & Cheese Waffle is ranked among the top 10 grossest foods fans can buy at a ballpark.

If fans get to Thursday afternoon’s game early enough, they could chow down on one of those waffles for breakfast. Can’t wait for that.

Tigers’ Nesbitt, on debut: ‘I couldn’t feel my legs’ – George Sipple, Detroit Free Press

"Nesbitt, a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher from Venezuela, replaced starter Anibal Sanchez with two outs in the seventh inning and retired the only batter he faced. Kurt Suzuki grounded out to shortstop.Nesbitt spent the 2014 season in both Single-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie, combing for a 1.48 ERA and 20 saves in 48 games.Nesbitt’s importance in the bullpen only increases with veteran closer Joe Nathan (right flexor strain) joining Bruce Rondon on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. With Joakim Soria assuming the closing role, the Tigers don’t really have a set guy to use for the seventh or eighth innings."

Injury issues only damper on Tigers’ fast start – John Niyo, The Detroit News

"Nathan, meanwhile, felt something “grab” on the last pitch he threw on Opening Day. And after cutting short a game of catch Wednesday morning, the Tigers closer told manager Brad Ausmus he couldn’t go.Well, “not in so many words,” Ausmus said. “But from what he said and how his face looked, you could tell it was bothering him quite a bit.”So while the Tigers headed out into the cold, heating up a 40-degree day with 15 hits and 22 baserunners against a Twins team that is scoreless in 18 innings in Detroit, their 40-year-old closer headed to the hospital for an MRI on his arm.The verdict, delivered by team president Dave Dombrowski in an impromptu news briefing in the manager’s office after the game, was a right elbow flexor strain for Nathan. He’ll go on the DL, retroactive to Tuesday, and the fans will have to wait at least two more weeks to boo him again."

New Comerica Park menu item makes ‘grossest foods’ list – Ian Thibodeau, MLive.com

"The weird waffle was named one of “The 10 Grossest Foods You Can Buy at the Ballpark”.It ranks in among two donut sandwiches, a giant hotdog, chicken fried bacon on a stick, Rocky Mountain Oysters, fried nachos on a stick and a pulled-pork parfait.The Comerica Park creation is one of a handful of new menu items offered this season."

Next: Detroit Tigers: Closer Joe Nathan hits 15-day DL