Get Todd Jones on the horn, stat!

I just heard the bad news, and it's a crushing blow to the start of the Tigers' off season.

Joel Zumaya tore up his pitching shoulder moving belongs yesterday, and has already had reconstructive surgery. He's out till at least July. Realistically, you have to think that 2008 will be a lost season for Zoom...

Here's the horrible news straight from the Tigers themselves...

The Detroit Tigers today announced righthanded pitcher Joel Zumaya underwent surgery yesterday at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego. Zumaya had an AC joint reconstruction on his right shoulder, a procedure performed by Dr. Heinz Hoenecke and Dr. Jan Fronek. He was injured moving personal items during the California wildfires.

Zumaya will rest his shoulder for the next six weeks, before he will be able to begin an active rehabilitation program. He is expected to begin a strengthening program in three months and it is anticipated he will begin a throwing program in four months. The club is hopeful Zumaya will return to pitching at the mid-season point in 2008.

My first reaction? FUCKSHITDAMNJESUSFUCKINGCHRISTFUCKINGALMIGHTY!

My 2nd? Todd Jones just guaranteed himself a 2 year contract offer from the Tigers.

My 3rd? The Tigers will need to get more than just Todd Jones for the bullpen. What other late inning bullpen free agents should the Tigers look into signing? Look for a closer like Mariano Rivera or Francisco Cordero? What about Eric Gagne? Take a flyer on Kerry Wood as a set up guy? To be honest, I have no idea what the Tigers might be thinking. At least Zumaya's injury happened early in the off season, giving the Tigers a chance to implement plans B, C, D, and so on.

My 4th? Is Zoom a one hit wonder? That 2006 was it, and we'll be hoping against hope that he will be able to recreate that season's magic? I remember praying that Mark Fydrich would return to his 1976 form in 1977, 78, 79...Well, we all know how that turned out.

My 5th? The Tigers stayed in contention without Zumaya for the vast majority of 2007, they'll just have to do so again. But still, why did it have to be Zumaya? Why not Jason Grilli?