MORE: Detroit Tigers better off in several ways if Bruce Rondon bounces back to claim role as closer

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland spoke at length Monday about rookie Bruce Rondon and the closer situation.

Here is what he had to say:

On the mechanical issues the Tigers identified with Rondon:

"Does that mean he's going to go out and strike three guys out the next time. I don't know that. He'll be fine."

On Rondon's struggles:

"Is he certainly a good candidate? Absolutely. Just because he's had a little bit of a rough time, that doesn't mean he's no longer a candidate, because he is. … He's a very good candidate and he's still a very good candidate. He's struggled. To put it simple, he's throwing it pretty hard and they're hitting it pretty hard."

On decision time on Rondon:

"At some point, it'll come to a head where Dave (Dombrowski), myself, the coaches will say, 'Yes, he can,' or, 'No, he's not ready.' It'll come to a point sometime. But it's way too early. We're not even near that yet. But obviously at some point that will happen."

On the need for a closer:

"The ideal situation is to have a closer, in my opinion. We don't know for sure if we do or we don't yet. It's way too early for that. I've mixed and matched several times in my career. How that's going to play out, I don't know. I'm not any more concerned about it than I was two months ago. When I say that, I don't want to make that sound like a red flag, because I don't mean it that way. I managed the last few years with a closer. So you're used to that."

More on Rondon:

"He's either going to pitch well enough to be on the club or he's not. It's that simple. There's no pressure on him. We just want the kid to go out, relax, show us what he's got and at some point we'll make a decision. He's fine. He's certainly not in anybody's doghouse. If he would have had three really good outings, I would not be saying here today that I was anointing him the closer. It's too early for that. This kid's fine. He's getting a taste of what it's like up here. He'll figure it out."

On Plan B:

"I always have a Plan B. I already have one. But I had it this winter. I didn't just have it because he had a bad outing. I didn't come up with a Plan B last night."

On mixing and matching relievers:

"I'll do whatever I think it takes to win games for the Detroit Tigers and I'll use my bullpen accordingly. You automatically understand that when you don't -- and I'll be the first to tell you this. It might sound kind of selfish, but I've told you this all along. There's no question that it makes it 100 times better when you have a closer that is a closer and a good one because it takes a lot of pressure off the manager. We can (expletive) all we want, but I can tell you right now that if we have to mix and match it'll be a second-guesser's delight. Because if you use (Phil) Coke, 'Why didn't you use Benoit?' If you use (Joaquin) Benoit, 'Why didn't you use (Brayan) Villarreal,' if he's on the team. If you use Villarreal, 'Why didn't you use (Al) Alburquerque? He was fresh.' That's what happens. But you know what, I'm supposed to know how to use my pitching … so that doesn't bother me. But you might as well make up your mind, when you don't have a closer, you're open game."

On how having a closer reduces pressure on others:

"Absolutely. Absolutely. That's the other point. It takes pressure off other members of the bullpen who don't have to fight the stress of finishing out the game. There's no (expletive) about it. There have been a lot of guys in baseball who could get outs 22, 23 and 24 but not 25, 26 and 27. That's just the way it is. But you know what? I feel comfortable, however this plays out, I'm going to feel comfortable to start the season. Would I feel more comfortable if we had a dominant closer. Absolutely. I'd be lying if I didn't say so."

More on Rondon and his mechanics:

"First of all, Bruce Rondon has not pitched his way off anything. It's way too early for that. Way too early. I emphasize that. We looked at some film today. Will that help? Is that the answer? I don't know that. It's probably not the answer, to be honest with you. It might have been a little thing. But you know what? You look for something to build on or something. Who knows? It might be the thing. I don't know."

On rumors that the Tigers are interested in Jose Valverde:

"That's not in the picture. Trust me. That has not even been discussed."





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