DETROIT (AP) - Dontrelle Willis is hoping to return to the Detroit Tigers in September and at the same time acknowledging remaking his distinctive delivery will take time.
Willis has a 10.32 ERA and 21 walks in 11 1-3 innings this season with the Tigers, who acquired the left-hander from the Florida Marlins in the offseason and signed him to a $29 million, three-year deal.Willis was sent to Class-A Lakeland in early June to try to deal with control problems. He has only pitched once since, allowing one run, a hit and three walks in two innings on June 29.
"When you are trying to change your mechanics, you have to take it one day at a time," he said. "But the plan is the same as for any minor leaguer - get to the majors."
Willis injured his knee in April, and only made one start after coming off the disabled list. He gave up eight runs to the Indians in just 1 1-3 innings June 10. Willis walked five and allowed two homers.
"I'm accountable for everything," Willis said Saturday. "I'm just not throwing the ball how I want to. But that doesn't mean I don't want to play baseball anymore. I still love the game. It's just making an adjustment. Sometimes you work hard, but you have bad habits."
Willis was in Detroit this week to get his knee examined and work with Chuck Hernandez, the Tigers' pitching coach. Willis will return to Lakeland to work with Jon Matlack.
