Four months ago, despite the exit of Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon, the Tigers' bullpen appeared all but set. The biggest questionmark was whether new closer Jose Valverde could thrive in the American League.
    Then, one by one, the relievers began to fall.
    Bobby Seay, the most dependable left hander in the bullpen, was the first to go -- shut down indefinitely and possibly permanently, with shoulder woes.
    Then Zach Miner, whose value as a reliever and emergency spot starter has long been under-appreciated, was slowed by pain in his elbow which eventually led to Tommy John surgery. His future, also, is in doubt.
    When the season began, Jim Leyland was talking about Ryan Perry as a possible future closer. Then Perry developed tendinitis and was dispatched to Toledo to try to rediscover his rookie form.
    Then this week, star-crossed Joel Zumaya, another future closer candidate for whom baseball had finally become fun again, suddenly fractured his elbow, ending his happiness and his season on the spot.
    Finally, Fu-Te Ni, such a pleasant surprise a year ago, was demoted to Triple-A after allowing 13 runs in his last six outings.
    Nevertheless, in spite of the free agent exodus of their two top relievers of a year ago as well as all of the injuries, the Tigers' bullpen owns the fourth-best ERA (3.36) in the league and trails only the Texas Rangers in relief wins, 19-16.
    It has been the key to the Tigers' success during the first three months of the season.
    Phil Coke, Brad Thomas and Eddie Bonine are a combined 12-0. That's more wins than 11 of the entire bullpens of 11 of the 14 teams in the AL can claim. And if Seay and Miner had been healthy, Thomas and Bonine probably wouldn't have made the team. Enrique Gonzalez, who wasn't even in picture this spring, has a 1.74 ERA after six outings since he was summoned from Toledo.
    And, of course, Valverde has 18 saves (in 19 opportunities) and an amazing 0.53 ERA.
    But how much longer can that magic last?