Detroit Tigers: Significance of a Jordan Zimmermann Bounce-Back Season

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Mar 4, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) throws a pitch during the first inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann is a prime bounce-back candidate entering his second season in the Motor City. Here’s how a rebound season from Zimmermann would help the Tigers.

Detroit Tigers fans saw an up-and-down first season out of Jordan Zimmermann in the veteran’s first campaign with the franchise.

A two-time All-Star who had turned in a 18.7 WAR in a five-year stretch with the Washington Nationals from 2011 to 2015, Zimmermann performed like that pitcher in his first 10 starts in a Tigers uniform.

Despite allowing seven runs in his eighth start of the campaign, the starter logged a 2.58 ERA in 66.1 frames.

Zimmermann didn’t strike out too many batters, with just 43 punch outs in that span. However, he limited mistakes with just 13 walks and six home runs allowed. All told, opposing batters managed just a .281 on-base percentage against the former National.

While those outings were excellent, injuries and ineffectiveness limited Zimmermann the rest of the way.

From June 8 on, the right-hander made nine appearances, totaling 39 innings pitched. His ERA over that span sat at 8.77, while opposing batters turned in a 1.070 OPS.

Fast forward to the beginning of Spring Training 2017, and Zimmermann is poised for a bounce-back campaign.

Once again healthy, the starting pitcher is rounding into form ahead of the regular season.

He’s been by no means perfect in Grapefruit League play, but the 30-year-old allowed just two hits, a walk and a run in his last spring start.

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