 On June 10, 2008, Willis was sent down to Single-A Lakeland, a day after a start in which he gave up eight earned runs and five base on balls in innings pitched against the Cleveland Indians.Though Willis had enough service time in the Major Leagues to require his consent prior to the send-down, he agreed, saying he needed to work on his control.Willis was called back to the Tigers in time for the roster expansion on September 1, 2008.