Watch CBS News

Tigers' Bruce Rondon Reportedly Recovering From Chikungunya Virus

By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby

Bruce Rondon will reportedly miss the Tigers' winter caravan and TigerFest this week because he's suffering from the Chikungunya virus. The virus is transmitted to humans via mosquitoes.

According to the World Health Organization, the Chikungunya virus is characterized by fever and "debilitating" joint pain, and can include muscle pain, headaches, nausea or rash. No cure exists, and "treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms."

General manager and vice president of baseball operations Al Avila told the Free Press that the team would be conservative with Rondon's return because he is contagious.

Rondon was sent home before the end of the 2015 season because of a lack of effort, manager Brad Ausmus said at the time. This offseason, he had been playing in a Venezuelan winter league. Rondon made the news for a different reason, though, when he was ejected from a game after being a primary instigator in a bench-clearing brawl.

The 25-year-old right-hander pitched in 35 games last season before being sent home. He struck out 36 and allowed 31 hits and 22 runs (20 earned).

Rondon got his start in Major League Baseball with the Tigers' organization, signing an amateur free agent deal with them when he was 18 years old. But Avila or Ausmus haven't guaranteed that Rondon will make the opening day roster this year. Avila's offseason focus was bolstering the bullpen, so there is more depth (Mark Lowe, Francisco Rodriguez, Justin Wilson) for Rondon to compete with.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.