Report: Tigers To Call Up Drew VerHagen Instead Of Robbie Ray For Saturday Start
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - In his last two starts, prized Detroit Tigers prospect Robbie Ray lasted a combined 7 1/3 innings and gave up a total of 12 earned runs on 15 hits. The Tigers need to bring up one of their minor league starting pitchers to throw the first game of the Saturday doubleheaders, but multiple recent reports say it will not be Ray, the lefty for whom the Tigers traded away reliable starter Doug Fister this offseason.
In Ray's last start, he allowed eight runs before getting the hook in the fourth inning.
"I saw a young pitcher who is trying to add a breaking ball," Toledo manager Larry Parrish told the Toledo Blade. "Unfortunately for him, I'm seeing him shortening his stride and [the breaking ball] affecting his other pitches.
"He's short of a young colt having trouble getting it all in synch right now," Parrish added.
Tom Reisenweber of the Erie Times-News tweeted Wednesday that righty Drew VerHagen will get the spot start instead of Ray.
Former @erie_seawolves SP @DrewVerHagen getting called up to pitch for the @tigers this weekend. Great guy and pitcher.
— Tom Reisenweber (@ETNreisenweber) July 16, 2014
VerHagen has a 3.67 ERA in 19 starts for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens this season. He allowed three earned runs in his last start, two earned runs the start before that one, and he held opponents to a single run in his starts July 1 and June 26.