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Tigers await Zumaya return

Detroit manager Jim Leyland hopes Joel Zumaya will rescue the Tigers' bullpen. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Detroit manager Jim Leyland hopes Joel Zumaya will rescue the Tigers' bullpen. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

For now, it’s emergency help for the bullpen.

Soon, it could be long-awaited help: the return of Joel Zumaya.

Zumaya will begin a three-appearance rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Monday. If that goes well, he will rejoin the Detroit Tigers a week from Tuesday for their series opener at home against Cleveland, manager Jim Leyland said Saturday.

Leyland said Zumaya will pitch one inning for Toledo on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. “If everything is OK, we expect him to pitch for the Tigers a week from Tuesday,” Leyland said.

But on Saturday, the Tigers had to make what Leyland called “emergency” moves to replenish their depleted bullpen. “We need able bodies,” he said.

The club called up right-handed relievers Aquilino Lopez and Eulogio De La Cruz from Triple-A Toledo for the team’s night game against Oakland. The Tigers planned to send De La Cruz back to Toledo after the game and replace him with Toledo right-hander Yorman Bazardo. Bazardo wasn’t called up because he hasn’t had enough days off since his last start.

Gibbons’ season ends

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons will undergo shoulder surgery Tuesday, ending his worst year in the major leagues.

Gibbons has a torn labrum, which restricts his ability to throw. He is still able to swing a bat and has been used as a designated hitter. Having the surgery now will enable him to return for spring training in 2008.

The 30-year-old will be placed on the disabled list after today’s game or on Monday.

He is batting .230 with six homers and 28 RBIs, both career lows.

“Well, obviously it’s frustrating, this whole year, and then to have it end like this is not fun,” Gibbons said. “Especially since I was having fun with the guys here, and we were playing pretty good ball as of late.”

Giants recall Wilson

The San Francisco Giants recalled right-handed reliever Brian Wilson, bringing up the pitcher the club once thought could be its closer of the future.

Wilson is in the big leagues for the first time this season after making his major league debut in 2006 for the Giants. He had held opposing hitters scoreless in 14 of his last 15 outings.