September 24, 2008 Todd Jones indicated that he is set to retire following the season, according to the Detroit News. He said, "So this is it. If you're a Tigers fan, I'll never stress you out again. If you're not a Tigers fan, you'll never have me as your ace in the hole, convinced I'll blow a lead against your team."
Our View:The 40-year-old ends his career with 319 saves, which ranks 14th on the all-time MLB list. He was plagued by shoulder problems through his final campaign in 2008.
August 28, 2008 Not only will Todd Jones likely not appear again this season, his career could be over due to his shoulder injury, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Our View:Jones, set to become a free agent, left the team on Wednesday after holding a team meeting that he asked his teammates to keep private. He will continue to rehab his shoulder in hopes of beating the odds to return this season, though it seems a long shot at this point.
August 27, 2008 Yesterday the Tigers reported Todd Jones had resumed throwing again but that progress was slow. Today we learn progress is so slow that the Tigers have ended his season, sending him home to Alabama to continue rehabilitation and rest, according to MLB.com.
Our View:He was expected to rejoin the team in September, but as of now, he seems unlikely to pitch. Given his uncertain future, his pitching career appears to be nearing a crossroads, and this could be a prelude to going home for good.
August 26, 2008 Tigers reliever Todd Jones has resumed throwing again, but his progress is slow enough that he might not be ready in time when rosters expand next Monday, according to MLB.com.
Our View:Jones, on the 15-day disabled list since August 16th with a sore right shoulder, began throwing off flat ground last Friday. When the Tigers made the move, manager Jim Leyland said the team would activate him once rosters expand from 25 to 40 players, providing him a chance to help out in the final month without forcing the team to make another roster move. Jones had tried to pitch through the shoulder discomfort for six weeks before first going on the DL at the end of July, saying he couldn't pitch through the injury and be effective. When he came off the DL, he lasted just one outing before going back. He admitted later that he thought he could help by pitching through the discomfort and decided to try it in order to help a struggling bullpen.
August 18, 2008 Todd Jones, who is on the DL with a sore right shoulder, is likely to be shut down until roster expansion in September, according to MLive.com. Jones said, "It's just something in the back of my shoulder. They say it's inflammation, but I don't know. It clicks. It's loose and it bites when it gets extended. And when I'm pitching with my good mechanics, I don't feel it as much. I can throw but I can't pitch. I have to be able to locate. I've talked the whole time I've been here about making pitches. And if I can't make pitches, I've got no shot, because I don't have the stuff anymore."
Our View:Jones will begin rehabbing at the facility of orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama. Jones should not be held on fantasy rosters in hopes of him resuming his role as a closer.
