Bonderman set for relief work with Mud Hens

KANSAS CITY -- Jeremy Bonderman will work out of the bullpen at Triple-A Toledo instead of starting, potentially a reflection of his best path back to Detroit.

Bonderman, who rejoined the organization Sunday on a Minor League contract, made his Mud Hens return on Friday night with a perfect eighth inning in relief. It went against earlier indications that Bonderman would take the open rotation spot of Derek Hankins, who left last week to sign a deal in Korea.

Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski, however, confirmed Bonderman's current status.

"Right now, he will pitch out of the 'pen," Dombrowski told MLive.com.

Bonderman has been a starter for his entire Major League career, most of it with the Tigers. However, Detroit already has five solid starters, making Bonderman at best an injury fill-in with that role. The bullpen, by contrast, remains in flux.