DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers are heading to Seattle and they knew they would need another left-hander.
After Sunday's game, manager Brad Ausmus announced the team was sending Drew VerHagen to Triple-A Toledo and calling up left-hander Ian Krol from Toledo.
Ausmus said the decision had nothing to do with VerHagen giving up two runs on one hit while walking four in one inning Sunday.
Designated hitter Seth Smith, outfielders James Jones and Dustin Ackley and infielders Kyle Seager, Logan Morrison, Brad Miller and Robinson Cano all bat left-handed.
Because of a back injury, VerHagen has not pitched a lot this season, throwing only 11 innings between Toledo and Double-A Erie.
"I know he had trouble throwing strikes his second inning out there, but he looked pretty crisp," Ausmus said. "He's still adjusting to it. We talked to him about some things now, moving forward in Toledo. But when you're a starter and you move to the 'pen, the one upside is you usually have three or four pitches to choose from. When you're a reliever you don't need to use all three or four, you take your two best. I think that could help him in the long run. Especially with his curveball."
