"If right-hander John Smoltz has thrown his last major league pitch, Tigers manager Jim Leyland said the game will be losing one of its greats.

"In my opinion, possibly the best big-game pitcher of all time and one of my all-time favorites is just struggling," Leyland said Saturday, speaking of Smoltz, who was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox on Friday after giving up eight runs in 3 1/3 innings Thursday in a 13-6 loss to the New York Yankees. "I just thought he was the best postseason pitcher I've ever seen, I've seen a lot first-hand from the other dugout. He's tremendous, absolutely tremendous."

Smoltz is mired in arguably the worst season of his 21-year career, going 2-5 with a 8.32 ERA in eight starts for the Red Sox. Following Friday's news, the right-hander is contemplating retiring. Boston executives have made it clear they would like Smoltz, 42, to remain with the organization.

"It's sad," said Leyland, who saw plenty of Smoltz up-close during his days managing in the National League (1986-99), mostly with the Pittsburgh Pirates. "I don't know this, but sometimes it's just time to go. I don't know if that's the case with John. I just know he's struggling, and you hate to see that. But I know the competitive spirit that I've seen for all those years, and I would love very much for John Smoltz to hang around if he can compete.""