Tigers recalled RHP Bruce Rondon from Triple-A Toledo.

He'll take the place of Octavio Dotel, who was placed on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation. Rondon failed to win a bullpen spot out of spring training, but he began his season with 9/2 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 scoreless frames at the Triple-A level. The hard-throwing rookie is unlikely to close right away, but he could wind up getting some save chances. Feel free to speculate in deeper fantasy formats.

Tigers optioned RHP Bruce Rondon to Triple-A Toledo.

Working on back-to-back days for the first time this spring, Bruce Rondon gave up two runs in two-thirds of an inning Wednesday against the Phillies.

Today's poor showing has to be a blow to Rondon's chances of getting save opportunities next month. After throwing a perfect inning Tuesday, he walked two and allowed two hits today. His spring ERA is back up to 5.84.

Bruce Rondon struck out two in a perfect frame against the Braves on Tuesday.

A better showing for Rondon today after he allowed three runs and six hits in his previous two innings of work. It's the second time in 12 appearances this spring that he's managed to put up a one-two-three inning.

Bruce Rondon surrendered two runs on three hits in his inning against the Yankees on Saturday.

Ben Francisco homered off him. If Rondon struggled this spring, it figured to be because of walks, which was the case early on. The surprising thing is that he's now given up 15 hits, two of them homers, in his 10 2/3 innings. His place on the roster, which seemed pretty secure just a few days ago, is up in the air again now after consecutive outings in which he's been touched up.

Bruce Rondon gave up a run on three hits in his inning of work against the Astros on Thursday.

For all of the worries about his control, Rondon has been surprisingly hittable this spring, giving up 12 knocks in 9 2/3 innings. He's also struck out 15 and walked seven in that span. The Tigers are hoping Rondon turns into their closer. So far this spring, Joaquin Benoit and Brayan Villarreal have been their most effective relievers.

Bruce Rondon was credited with the win in relief after pitching a hitless inning against the Nationals on Monday.

Rondon has gone three straight appearances without allowing a hit, and he has an improved 12/4 K/BB ratio in seven innings for the month. He's moving closer to securing a spot on Detroit's roster.

Bruce Rondon struck out the side in his inning against the Cardinals on Saturday.

Rondon did walk one in the process, but it was another step forward for him. With four straight scoreless innings, he's greatly increased his chances of making the Tigers and perhaps opening the season in a late-inning role.

Bruce Rondon turned in his first flawless inning of the spring Thursday, retiring all three Mets he faced.

Those three Mets being Collin Cowgill, Brian Bixler and Jaime Hoffmann. Rondon has now pitched scoreless innings in three straight appearances, but he did give up a couple of hits in each of the previous two.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Tuesday that any decision on Bruce Rondon will likely go "right down to the wire" this spring.

"This is a real talent," said Leyland. "And what it's going to boil down to is: Is this talent ready for this level? And I can tell you that decision has not been made." Even if Rondon makes the team, Leyland acknowledged that he could be used as either the primary closer or part of a closer-by-committee. The hard-throwing rookie has pitched well recently after working on his mechanics, but he still has a lot to prove to gain Leyland's faith.

Bruce Rondon pitched a scoreless ninth inning despite giving up two hits Monday against the Mets.

The Tigers may have been hoping to give Rondon a save chance today, but it didn't work out that way in an 11-0 loss. Rondon got Wilmer Flores to ground into a double play and struck out Omar Quintanilla to end the game.

Bruce Rondon picked up the win in relief after pitching a scoreless inning and striking out two Friday against the Mets.

After working on his mechanics on the side this week, Rondon went without walking a batter today for the first time in five outings this spring. He did give up a couple of hits, however. He's has a 5.79 ERA, seven hits allowed and an 8/5 K/BB ratio in 4 2/3 innings.

Bruce Rondon worked on his mechanics Wednesday morning with Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones.

Jones told reporters that the session went well, but that won't matter if Rondon doesn't show better control in Grapefruit League games. The hard-throwing youngster has allowed three earned runs and issued six walks in just 3 2/3 innings this spring. He seems highly unlikely to win the Tigers' ninth-inning job at this point.

CBS Sports' Danny Knobler reports that the Tigers are "pushing hard" to trade for a closer.

The Tigers were hoping that hard-throwing rookie Bruce Rondon would take control of the job, but it's already obvious that he could be overmatched, especially for a club that is built to win right now. It's not clear who the Tigers have spoken with, but Knobler notes that the Nationals aren't interested in moving any of their late-inning relievers (Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard). Meanwhile, the Tigers haven't contacted the Red Sox about the availability of Andrew Bailey. If the team can't find a fit outside the organization, they could rely on a closer-by-committee.

Bruce Rondon will not make his next scheduled Grapefruit League appearance.

Rondon has a 7.36 ERA in 3 2/3 spring innings and has issued five walks. The Tigers want him to work on his mechanics in a side session before allowing him to face major league hitters again. The hard-throwing youngster seems doubtful at this point to open the 2013 campaign as Detroit's ninth-inning man. Jose Valverde is still a free agent.

Bruce Rondon struggled once again Sunday, giving up two runs in his inning of work against the Braves.

Tyler Pastornicky homered off him. Rondon also walked a batter, bring his spring total to five free passes in 3 2/3 inning. We're already pretty close to writing him off for the first month of the season. Of course, he could always get straightened out in Triple-A and emerge as a closer candidate later.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said the club is "not looking to add anyone" at closer despite Bruce Rondon's early struggles in spring training.

Rondon has allowed one run while walking four over his first 2 2/3 Grapefruit League innings. It's not surprising that they want to give the young fireballer more time, but he'll need to pick it up if he wants to break camp as the Tigers' ninth-inning man.

Bruce Rondon struggled through his inning against the Mets on Friday, giving up a run on two hits and a walk.

Rondon has struck out five in 2 2/3 innings so far, but he's walked four and allowed three hits. As impressive as his fastball is, his lack of control is a huge problem right now. He's more likely to open the season as Triple-A Toledo's closer than Detroit's.

Bruce Rondon walked two of the four batters he faced before being pulled from Tuesday's appearance against the Astros.

The Tigers decided that 21 pitches -- just eight of which were strikes -- was enough today. Rondon did fan the two batters he didn't walk, so that's something. He's yet to be charged with a run in 1 2/3 innings this spring but his lack of control makes him a risky fantasy pick.

Despite allowing a double and a walk, Bruce Rondon pitched a scoreless inning Saturday against the Blue Jays.

He struck out two. Rondon has no major league experience, but if he pitches well this spring, there's a pretty good chance he'll open the season as Detroit's closer. Given his complete lack of command, our expectations aren't particularly high.