Detroit Tigers: Eyebrow-Raising Player Transactions #30-21

Aug 7, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Baseball on the pitchers mound before the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

30. Joel Zumaya: More Injuries than Pitches

In 2006, Joel Zumaya was an unstoppable force as a relief pitcher. He dominated the mound in 2006 with a 1.94 ERA and 1.176 WHIP. At this time in his career, the home grown Zumaya earned just $327,000. Unfortunately, during the 2006 ALCS, he was unable to pitch because he injured himself playing Guitar Hero. Despite this odd injury, he continued to pitch for the Tigers as a reliever and for under $1 million for four more years. During those four years, he continued to suffer from injuries, like the 2007 moving injury that kept him out of the 2008 season for the first few month.

Even though the Tigers knew about his tendencies for injury, the Tigers signed Zumaya to a $1.4 million contract for 2011. Then, he injured his elbow and needed surgery. This left the Tigers without a solid reliever, again. At the young age of 26, he finished his career pitching for the Tigers. He was signed by the Minnesota Twins in 2012, but he never threw in one game after tearing a ligament in his elbow during Spring Training. In his short career, he only finished one season – 2006.