Rondon pitched a scoreless inning Sunday in Grapefruit League action. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Rondon lacks the consistency his manager wants to see and often fails to deliver intensity when he's on the mound, despite hitting triple digits with his heater. He still isn't a lock to secure a spot in the pen, but power pitchers are a hot commodity in the back-end of the rotation. Rondon still has a shot to be that closer of the future, but the window is closing.

Rondon was not among the players manager Brad Ausmus named this week as locks to make the bullpen, the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Tigers gave Rondon a look in the closer role over the final months with Joakim Soria out of the way, but he struggled and was ultimately sent home due to his "effort level," according to Ausmus. Reports from winter ball have been positive, but Rondon still has to win back the trust of his teammates and prove to the organization that he's serious about his baseball career. Trade acquisition Francisco Rodriguez appears likely to open 2016 in the ninth inning for Detroit.

Rondon has been sent home by the Tigers because of his "effort" level, according to manager Brad Ausmus, Chris Iott of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The powerful right-hander has blown his last two save opportunities, inflating his ERA and WHIP to 5.81 and 1.61, respectively, but it sounds like this decision may have more to with Rondon's work ethic and attitude in the clubhouse than performance. It's not entirely clear if Rondon will be back this season, but Alex Wilson and Neftali Feliz are considered the top options to close in his absence.

Rondon locked down is fourth save of the season Monday, albeit in nerve-wracking fashion.

EDGE Analysis

Rondon was called upon to get the final two outs of the game Labor Day, but allowed a hit and walked two in the roller-coaster outing. The reliever has blown just one save this year, but has an unsightly 6.12 ERA for the season.

Rondon issued a two-out walk but held the Royals scoreless in the ninth inning Tuesday to preserve a 6-5 win for Detroit. It was his third save of the season.

EDGE Analysis

Save chances have been few and far between for the Tigers lately, but Rondon has gotten the call the last four times they've held a tight lead in the ninth inning. He had blown his last opportunity and given up six runs in his last five appearances entering Tuesday, but it looks like the hard-throwing Rondon, and not Alex Wilson, will get a long look in the closer role to end the year. Wilson was used to record the final out of the seventh inning Tuesday.

Rondon made his season debut Thursday, entering the game in the seventh inning with two on and one out. He struck out both batters he faced; one went down looking at a 101 mph fastball. He looked good, but we need to see more outings like that to believe he'll be worked back into a late-innings role. Before he tore his UCL in 2014, Rondon was expected to be the set-up man for closer Joe Nathan and he has the stuff to be a good set-up man. But for now, lower-leverage situations will help get him back into shape.

Rondon will be recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday. The Tigers optioned Buck Farmer after his start Wednesday and selected Rondon to rejoin the big league club in a corresponding move. Rondon has yet to appear in a game with the Tigers after starting the season on the DL and then stringing together some rough outings at Triple-A Toledo. He'll add right handed depth to Detroit's bullpen but likely won't pitch in high leverage situations.

Rondon (shoulder) was reinstated from the disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday. Rondon's rehab assignment lasted nearly a month, and while health is no longer an issue, the Tigers still don't feel that he's ready to rejoin the big-league bullpen. He hasn't done himself any favors with Triple-A Toledo, posting a 10.38 ERA and 5.2 BB/9 in 8.2 innings.

Rondon (shoulder) tossed a scoreless inning Sunday in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Toledo, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports. Rondon's scoreless outing was just the fourth time in nine attempts that he didn't allow a runner to cross the plate, as the right-hander has surrendered six earned runs in his last three outings combined. He threw just 10 of his 22 pitches for strikes and did walk a batter, so the command likely isn't quite where he wants it to be just yet. Rondon will likely continue to make rehab appearances on an indefinite timetable, and will have to show progress over multiple outings before getting an opportunity to serve in the Detroit bullpen.

Rondon (shoulder) was hit hard Saturday night in his second rehab start with the Toledo Mud Hens. He failed to last two innings, which had been the plan, after allowing four hits and four earned runs while walking three and striking out one. He managed to get just three outs. After the game, the Mud Hens' manager, Larry Parrish, didn't mince his words: "As bad as his line looked, it was probably worse than that. We talked about it before the game, what he needs to do. Tonight, he didn't do it all." Rondon missed all of last season after Tommy John surgery and has been on the DL all of this season with right biceps tendinitis. At this point, he won't be back with Tigers any time soon.