Grilli faces uphill battle for spot

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Jason Grilli knows the younger starters in Tigers camp have a better shot at the only open spot in the rotation. But he also knows what it's like to be a top prospect trying to break into the Majors. And he argues it's tougher on that side.

"When you're at the top of the stairs and you're in a (Justin) Verlander category and you're highly touted -- which is something I've been through -- I know the attention you get," he said. "I don't have the pressure anymore. I can go out and do my job. I know what's expected of me."

Grilli is the veteran option in a contest that appears to be leaning toward youth. When camp opened, manager Jim Leyland didn't want to mention the candidates by name because he didn't want to discourage anyone else from vying for the job. Since then, though, he has said Verlander and Roman Colon are in the mix.

"Whoever's in that fifth spot probably, most likely will be a younger guy, not a lot of experience," Leyland said Sunday morning.

Grilli realizes they're favored. If he doesn't make the rotation but still makes the club as a reliever, he'll be happy. But he wants a shot at a starting role, and he isn't shy about how he sees his chances.

"I'm pitching my way onto this team this Spring Training," he said. "Whether it's the fifth spot or a bullpen spot, I just want to help this club win. I know I can."

Grilli knows prospect pressure from experience, having been drafted fourth overall in 1997. Three years later, he was in the big leagues, winning his Major League debut in a spot start for the Florida Marlins on May 11, 2000. The next day, he was headed back to Triple-A. Two weeks later, he was on the disabled list with a strained elbow.

He missed the rest of that season for surgery to remove a bone spur, then underwent Tommy John surgery in 2002. In three years, he fell off the map after being one of the Marlins' top 10 prospects. Grilli's been fighting the roster situation ever since. He has the image of a well-traveled veteran, and he's a relatively young 29.

"I think I learned a lot about myself and what it means to me to go through adversity," he said. "Any adversity, I don't look at it as negative anymore. It just comes with experience."

Grilli found his way back with the organization where his father pitched three decades ago. After helping lead Triple-A Toledo to the International League's Governors Cup championship and winning his first Tigers start last Sept. 24, he earned another victory: He found his way onto the Tigers' 40-man roster this offseason.

After missing out on a spot last year as a Minor League invitee, Grilli's roster situation works better for him this time. He doesn't have to be added to the 40-man roster to make the team. Plus, he's out of options, meaning the Tigers can't send him back to Triple-A without passing him through waivers.

So far, he has looked relatively polished, able to spot the ball in his second bullpen session on Sunday. He can't boast the overpowering fastball of Verlander or Joel Zumaya, but he's picked up the experience to pitch for quick outs and put the ball in play in his favor.

Grilli has to look good early, because he'll leave camp on March 3 to join Team Italy in preparation for the World Baseball Classic. A few good performances there and he could rejoin the Tigers later in March with something to fight for.

"Whatever it might be, I just know I can be an asset to this team," Grilli said. "Hopefully I can prove that once again this spring."