Former Ausmus Teammate, Randy Wolf, To Start For Tigers Saturday
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
In 2009, the Dodgers' roster included catcher Brad Ausmus, age 40, and pitcher Randy Wolf, 32.
Six years later, Wolf is still playing (albeit in Triple-A as of last week), and Ausmus is manager of the Tigers. Now the former teammates can begin a new relationship as manager/player, after the Tigers traded for Wolf on Thursday.
Detroit's pitching rotation had been slapped with injuries, thanks to Daniel Norris' strained oblique and Anibal Sanchez' strained rotator cuff, landing both on the 15-day disabled list.
"It came together quickly," Ausmus said. "It all happened probably in a matter of, oh shoot, probably two hours."
Wolf had been pitching for Toronto's Triple-A team, accumulating a 2.58 ERA in 23 starts and 139.2 innings this season. He struck out 106, compared to 40 walks.
Although Ausmus admitted he hadn't seen much of those minor league performances from Wolf this year, he was still familiar with what the left-hander brought.
"I know Wolfie, having played with him," Ausmus said. "I'm sure he's got a few more miles on him. … He's a savvy left-hander. He doesn't have the same stuff he had when he first got called to the big leagues but he was pretty young at that time. He knows how to pitch. He's a real good teammate, a real good guy."
It's been six full years since Ausmus was catching Wolf's fastballs in Los Angeles. But the two have stayed in touch, enough for the manager to trust in the new Tigers' pitcher even when he hasn't watched him play this year.
And on Saturday, Wolf will make his first start for Detroit. He'll turn 39 the same day.
"I know Wolfie pretty well," Ausmus said. Laughing, he added, "I would say I know him relatively well. I've been to his house."
