Forgive us for being a Debbie Downer late on this incredibly boring Thursday … but Detroit Tigers fans may want to avert your eyes: Joel Zumaya, the flamethrower who missed virtually the entire 2007 season, and was slated to take over closing duties in 2008 for that fossil Todd Jones, injured his throwing shoulder while “moving personal items” during the California fires this week. He’s already had shoulder surgery and is out until mid-season. It’s all very vague at this point, and it’s not that we don’t believe this story … but we’re going on the record as being slightly dubious. [UPDATE: The Detroit Free Press has details: While moving World Series memorabilia from the attic, a box fell on Zumaya's shoulder. It sounds serious.] This is the same guy who suffered a severe injury playing “Guitar Hero.” Yes, the video game.

We were just talking with a friend about what impact losing A-Rod would have on the AL (answer: none … yet), and the only other legit team that could vie for a playoff spot would be the Detroit Tigers. That was assuming Zumaya was the closer.

Zumaya injured during fires; out until midseason (ESPN)