Tigers: Jordan Zimmermann Second Half Outlook

By Bill Pivetz | Jul 14, 2016

Jun 14, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Tigers signed Jordan Zimmerman to a big contract in the offseason. However, he hasn’t panned out for them or fantasy owners in the first half.

The Detroit Tigers thought they were getting another ace when they signed former Washington Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann. I mean, with the numbers he posted the last couple of seasons, could you blame the Tigers?

Unfortunately, it hasn’t played out like that in the first half, and fantasy owners are angry. Do you drop him? Trade him for scrap? Hold on and hope for the best? My suggestion is the latter. Zimmermann had some bright spots throughout his first 15 starts that warrant you keeping him rostered.

Zimmermann is eligible to come off the disabled list shortly after the break is over, but he’s not likely to pitch right away. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus gave an update on his injury. “It’s the right side of the neck, and he’s going to have a couple of treatments over the next day or two,” he said to the Detroit Free Press.

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With this news, it’s more likely that Zimmermann will return towards the end of July. It all depends on how he feels after treatment and successful recovery before picking up a baseball.

In April, he went 5-0 with a 0.55 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB ratio. May is when things started to break down. He allowed three runs in back-to-back starts before allowed seven runs on 11 hits in seven innings against the Minnesota Twins.

He had two more seven-run starts and just one quality start in June. He was then placed on the 15-day DL on July 4, retroactive to July 1, with a neck strain. The Tigers are 3-3 in his last six starts.

While the strain may have contributed to his poor outings, I think it could be arm fatigue. Zimmermann has pitched at least 195 innings in each of the last four seasons. His four-seam and two-seam fastballs have lost over 1 MPH while his off speed pitches have remained roughly the same between 2015 and 2016.

Next: Chris Archer: 1st Half Disappointment

Zimmermann is still owned in 88.9 percent of ESPN leagues, down 1.6 percent over the last week. His return date is still in question, so if you own him, like I do, the best bet is to wait for his first start post-All Star break.

If he pitches well, and you still want to trade him, then you have a chance to get a good player. If he doesn’t, then you could just drop him and pick up someone else.

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