According to the Associated Press, the Detroit Tigers are sending LHP Dontrelle Willis to Single-A Lakeland. Willis was signed to a three-year, $29 million deal by the Tigers after the team acquired him in the mammoth trade with the Florida Marlins this past offseason.

The Willis signing doesn’t look too bad, even after Willis’ 2007 season was horrid. It was about a 50/50 shot whether Willis would bounce back to form, and the Tigers signed the former ace to a short-term deal at a reasonable price.

While Willis’ 2007 was bad (10-15 record with a 5.17 ERA and 1.60 WHIP), his 2008 “campaign” has been horrific. He got injured in early April, returned in mid-May, was sent to the bullpen and then returned to the rotation once again. In his second start last night since coming back from the disabled list, he went 1.1 innings, giving up eight earned runs on five walks and three hits, including two home runs. Willis’ command was erratic. He’s got 21 walks total in 11.1 innings pitched.

Even with Willis’ downward spiral as of late, its still hard to believe what a 2005 Cy Young candidate and 20-game winner has become. He’s still just 26, but Tigers fans have cause for concern.