Rick Porcello To Start vs. Cleveland Indians Next Saturday

After the Tigers 7-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night, Jim Leyland denied reports that Rick Porcello could be used as a trade chip. MLB.com’s Jason Beck has this quote:

"Trust me, it’s total BS. There’s not even a chance that Rick Porcello is going to be traded. In fact, Rick Porcello is going to pitch in Cleveland."

The Tigers have a doubleheader on the schedule for next Saturday, and they were going to need someone to make a spot start. The Tigers are maintaining that Rick’s AAA start was pushed back from Friday to today in order to set him up for a Major League start, not to accommodate scouts from other teams.

Rick’s first start in Toledo was strong (8 IP, 1 H, 0ER), but he’s struggled mightily since then. In his second and third starts he’s given up ten runs on seventeen hits in thirteen innings. He will get another chance to turn things around with the start today.

It seems that the trade rumors are dying down, but I’m sure the hullabaloo will start up again if there are reports of Arizona scouts watching Rick’s start today, but it’s not looking like there is anything to the trade rumor right now.