A number of guys in the Tigers’ bullpen are looking over their shoulders these days. And it’s not because they want to see what is going on in the ballgame.
        With Aquilino Lopez returning from bereavement leave, Fernando Rodney apparently recovered from the tendinitis problems that plagued  him all spring and Joel Zumaya again throwing 98 mph and raring to go after last fall’s shoulder surgery, the face of half of the Tigers’ bullpen could change before the end of the month.
        Denny Bautista, Casey Fossum, Freddy Dolsi, Clay Rapada,  maybe even Zach Miner, who has an option left, are all on bubble.
        With all due respect to the relievers currently here, Jim Leyland is understandably enthused about the pending return of Rodney and Zumaya.    
        “When those guys get here, the atmosphere will be a little different,” the Tigers’ manager predicted.
        “I think the bullpen has actually done a good job,” Leyland said. “But when Zumaya and Rodney walk in here, healthy, they’ll make a big difference.
        “Then there’ll be a little more structure to our bullpen. We’ve had guys hurt. We’ve had guys in and out, up and down. We gave Bautista a shot. We gave (Francisco) Cruceta a little shot. When Zumaya and Rodney get back, we’ll get straightened around. Everybody will be back in place.”
        With Zumaya, Rodney and Todd Jones ready in the bullpen, the Tiger starters will know, if they can make in through the sixth inning with the lead, they’ll stand a good chance of winning the game.
        “When those guys get back, it will shorten the games for us a little,” Leyland said.
        Which, of course, begs the question: Will it be too late?