Legal issues might be a factor, but from listening to Willis it does not appear he is exactly clear about what was going on, either.

"I have no condition," he said after rejoining the team Friday in Cleveland. "My condition is me going out there, playing baseball and having fun. If God doesn't want me to do this, I'll find something else. I'm fine with that.

"Right from the time they put me on the DL, I was constructive about it. I didn't mope. I handled it like a professional. I worked hard all the way up the ranks, and at each level, I told them if I haven't earned moving up, don't move me up. It's been a traveling circus, but it's been a good one. They liked the way I handled my business, even on the days I didn't pitch."

Willis has been around the plate even when he walked hitters during his rehab starts. His hit total has been good and he's been stingy with runs. He credits the organization and everybody around him for being helpful.

"Everybody worked with me, not just doctors, but the coaching staff and everybody," he said. "I'm happy they're happy with my productivity, but mostly I'm happy with myself and the way I went about everything. My body feels good. It all feels good.

"I know I've been terrible, but that was yesterday. I'm a guy that shoots from the hip. I was just playing bad."

Now it's come down to getting results on the mound. Willis hasn't won a game for the Tigers since they obtained him from Florida two winters ago.