Two pitchers who began the season with the Mud Hens will not return to action this season.
This afternoon the Tigers announced that they had released LHP Fu-Te Ni, who has been on the Mud Hens' disabled list since May 20.
Ni began this season with the Hens but went on the DL April 18 with shoulder problems. He came off the disabled list April 28 but went back on the DL May 20 with elbow problems (specifically, a strained UCL).
Soon after that Ni had season-ending elbow surgery.
Ni pitched in seven games for Toledo this season, making five starts, and had a 2-2 record with a 4.56 ERA.
This was the fourth consecutive season Ni spent time with the Mud Hens. In 2009 he was 3-0 with a 2.60 ERA in 24 appearances but also pitched with Detroit and was 0-0 with a 2.61 ERA in 36 games.
In 2010 he was 0-1 with a 6.65 ERA with the Tigers and was sent to Toledo, where he went 0-0 with a 7.50 ERA.
Ni spent all of last season with the Mud Hens, beginning the year in the bullpen before making a mid-season splash as a starter. He pitched in 34 games for Toledo, making 12 starts, and was 6-3 with a 3.24 ERA.
Also today RHP Chris Bootcheck learned that his season is likely over because of the injury he suffered in Sunday's game.
Bootcheck made a diving catch of a popped bunt in the contest, but had to leave the game after making the play. Doctors indicate that Bootcheck suffered a broken left humerous as well as damage to the labrum of his left, or non-throwing, shoulder.
Bootcheck had served as Toledo's closer this season and had a 2-5 record with 17 saves, the second-highest total in the International League, and a 4.06 ERA. Toledo's representative in the Triple-A All-Star Game, Bootcheck had 53 strikeouts in 44.1 innings this year.
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