Robbie Ray is going to spend a little more time in the Tigers' rotation.
With Anibal Sanchez returning from the 15-day disabled list to start Sunday night against the Red Sox, the Tigers were expected to send Ray back to Triple-A Toledo.
Ray has certainly pitched well enough to stay in the majors -- he has a 0.79 ERA in his two starts while Sanchez was recovering from a blister -- but manager Brad Ausmus and GM Dave Dombrowski don't want to keep him in the bullpen as a long reliever. They want him to be starting on a regular basis in order to be available if Detroit needs a spot starter.
That means going back to the rotation in Toledo, but that move is on hold for another few days. With Rick Porcello having experienced tightness in his left side in each of his last two starts, the Tigers have decided to give him two extra days of rest before his next start, which is now scheduled for Saturday against Texas.
Ausmus told reporters on Sunday that the Tigers are just being cautious with Porcello. But the extra rest means Ray will stay with the Tigers to start on Thursday against the Rangers, while Justin Miller heads to Toledo to make room on the roster for Sanchez.
