If this is how Jordan Zimmermann's time with the Tigers comes to an end, it will be unfortunately fitting. The veteran pitcher was placed on the 45-day injured list with a forearm strain over the weekend, the latest in a long line of injuries since he signed a five-year, $110 million deal with Detroit in 2016.
His contract, his health and his performance have made him a frequent target of criticism among the fanbase. The frustration is easily understood. Take it from Matthew Boyd that no one's more frustrated that Zimmermann himself.
"I know this about Zimm: he wants to be on the field more than anything. And I know a lot of people in Detroit give him flak. The thing is, it's really undeserved," Boyd told the Jamie and Stoney Show. "He puts his best foot forward every day, he works his tail off. It's really been unfortunate how he hasn't been healthy in Detroit.
"This guy goes out there and pitches through as much as he can and grinds every day. He's a leader in the clubhouse even when he's not on the field. He pushes us. He's one of the biggest driving influences in my career, personally."
Zimmermann, 34, nearly saw his career come to an end due to a forearm injury last season. But he battled his way back, then caught a second wind late in the year thanks to a new sinker. He was eager to build on that this season. Instead, the two-time All-Star might spend his last year in the big leagues on the shelf.
Don't count him out yet, says Boyd.
"He has a date already on his mind, the earliest possible they said he could be back. I know he's already trying to push the envelope on that. He's doing everything he can. I'm bummed that he's out, but I know that he's going to be back. I don't know for how may games, I don't know how many seasons, but I know he's going to fight back. And I'm excited to see it because he's hungry, too," Boyd said.
Zimmermann's loss could be Casey Mize's gain. The 23-year-old is banging on the door of the majors, and now there's another open spot in the Tigers' rotation. The club will likely wait until a week into the season to call him up to avoid burning a year of team control on his contract.
Whenever Mize arrives, Boyd has no doubt he'll succeed.
"Being a rookie in the big leagues is tough, regardless of who you are, but he's going to be a successful Major League pitcher," said Boyd. "I'm just excited to go see him compete first-hand and see him grow into that Tigers uniform. He's going to be a part of this championship team, I know it."
Mize has been dominant in Summer Camp. He's clearly one of the five best starting pitchers in Detroit's organization. In case Boyd needed it, he got a reminder watching Mize pitch on Sunday.
"I got to watch Casey first-hand sitting behind home plate. Seeing how his stuff moves, just talk about the stuff. Take Casey out of it, talk about the fastball, the cutter, the splitter, the curveball. It's amazing," said Boyd. "It's late, it's sharp, it's deceptive.
"Then you look at him and his demeanor, I wish I had the presence of mind, the global viewpoint that he has at his age – and he's a first-rounder. This kid is very mature, very smart, he's intellectual when he's on the mound and off the field. It's really impressive, man."
The Tigers are slated to begin the season Friday night in Cincinnati, with Boyd taking the ball. He said it's an 'honor' to start on Opening Day -- and to bring baseball back to America.
