Tigers Angry Thurmond’s Shoulder May Be Ailing

The Detroit Free Press ran a story in Thursday’s editions entitled “Did the Tigers get damaged goods?”

Apparently there’s question as to whether former Padre Mark Thurmond is healthy. Last month, he went for acupuncture treatment on his left shoulder, but the Tigers didn’t know about it when they traded for him Wednesday. A Free Press reporter broke the news to Tiger General Manager Bill Lajoie and said Thurmond might have a sore shoulder. Lajoie reportedly was livid.

He called Padre General Manager Jack McKeon Thursday. McKeon assured him that he never knew of any injury. Later, Padre trainer Dick Dent was asked if Thurmond had a sore shoulder. Dent said: “No, no. Want to check my records right now?”

Lajoie actually could stop the trade or ask for another player if he wanted to, but he apparently will not. He said Thursday: “Look, I wanted to get rid of Dave LaPoint, and I did.”