De La Cruz gets call up

[Cornbread Maxwell]

WASHINGTON - He's young, he can hit triple-digits on the radar gun and just a few months ago he was starting in Double-A.


If Eulogio De La Cruz in 2007 sounds just a little bit like Joel Zumaya in 2006, that's fine, because that's the idea. Or rather the hope, now that the Detroit Tigers have made De La Cruz the latest candidate to fill the void filled by Zumaya's injury.

Summoned from Triple-A Toledo on Monday, De La Cruz pitched the eighth inning of the Tigers' 9-8 win over Washington. He'll get more chances in the eighth, sharing setup duties with Fernando Rodney, manager Jim Leyland said.

``I'm going to try him,'' Leyland said. ``If he can throw it in the ocean, he'll be OK.''

The Tigers moved De La Cruz from Double-A Erie to Toledo a few weeks back. They moved him from the rotation to the bullpen, figuring he might be able to help solve the Tigers' biggest 2007 problem.

``This kid's got a golden arm,'' Leyland said. ``We'll find out if he can help us.''

I didnt watch yesterday's game, but those who did said his fastball had some serious giddyup. Wouldnt it be nice if this kid really could be another Zumaya?

[Strained Oblique]

He's been great since his call up and I was skeptical on him at first. The addition of Macay McBride from Atlanta will also help in the bullpen. He will be more solid than Ledezma was and hopefully fills the role of Jamie Walker from last year.

De La Cruz has looked good though!!