The Detroit Tigers have had some issues with their bullpen as of late and, following Sunday's loss -- their fourth in fifth outings -- part of the problem may have been discovered. Relief pitched Brayan Villarreal said after the game that his arm felt weak, leading the Tigers to schedule an exam for Monday in Minnesota.
Villarreal has struggled in his last three outing for the Tigers -- giving up a total of five runs in 2.1 innings -- but Sunday night's appearance apparently was the final straw as he mustered just one out while giving up two earned runs on 18 pitches.
Villarreal told the Detroit News that the injury has hampered him off and on for a little while.
"They're going to check me tomorrow," Villarreal said in the visitors' clubhouse. "I started feeling it a week ago, but it wasn't that bad. Today while I was pitching, I felt it."
"I felt like it was inflamed. It was weak, but I'm not sure. After the (All-Star) break, I felt it a little bit; then it got better. Now I felt it again."
The relief pitcher has an elbow examination scheduled for Monday in Minneapolis -- the Tigers are in Minnesota this week for a series against the Twins -- with more news expected following the outcome of the tests.
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