Then, there were the doubts about the recovery of his shoulder, which was cut into extensively while a vein in the arm was replaced. His first Grapefruit League start was canceled nearly three weeks ago, and he was sent to Detroit to be examined by an orthopedist.

But Bonderman was ready to be tested Thursday night, and came through just fine in two scoreless innings against the Atlanta Braves. The Detroit Tigers lost, 5-2, with Dontrelle Willis giving up all the runs and changing back to his exaggerated leg kick in the process.

"It's been a long fight for me to get back," Bonderman said. "And if I'm ready, it will help our staff and our team.

"It was fun to get back out there and play and be part of the team again. It's been a long time, and it was a relief to get out with no pain."

He expects to have normal soreness today, but looks forward to pitching every fifth day the rest of the way.

"He felt good," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "I'll be more pleased tomorrow if everything's fine."

Bonderman threw 16 strikes and 13 balls. He allowed two hits and two walks, getting five ground-ball outs. Two were comebackers. Bonderman looked rusty at times, topping out at 91 mph on the radar gun at Champion Stadium.

He threw afterward in the bullpen to reach a pitch count of 40.

"The velocity, I'm not really worried about," Bonderman said. "I can pitch where I'm at. But if I can gain three or four (mph) more in the next couple weeks, I'll be fine. The more I throw, the timing gets better and the arm strength will come."

Bonderman said he felt some "butterflies" before settling down, and noted a "timing issue" in his mechanics. But his sinker was working.

Willis followed and gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits with two walks in 2 2/3 innings. In his third inning of work, Willis began thrusting his right leg high and back. It was a part of his delivery that was eliminated last year with hopes of improving his control with a more fluid motion.

Why did he go back to it?

"Because my back's against the wall," Willis said. "I've got to step it up another gear."

He did get his only strikeout in his third and final inning, fanning Yunel Escobar, but still gave up two runs.

"He's trying his (butt) off and actually changed his delivery," Leyland said. "He's more like the old Dontrelle, and Rick (Knapp, pitching coach) liked that. There were more strikes tonight, and a couple were over the plate. That's why they were hit so hard."

Former Tiger Omar Infante drilled a triple to center, and Jeff Francoeur laced a double into the gap. Escobar also doubled.

Kelly Johnson drilled a ball up the middle that Willis stopped with the palm of his left hand before throwing him out underhanded. That ended the inning and Willis left shaking the hand. But he faced five batters the next inning before being removed.

"The throwing hand was quicker than the glove hand," said Willis, who iced the hand afterward. "I'm not a hockey player, but I'll be OK."