Detroit Tigers: Soto to start Saturday, Greiner placed on IL

The Detroit Tigers announced a few bits of roster moves and injury news following Friday’s embarrassing 13-4 loss at the hands of the Cleveland Indians.

Clearly, tensions were high in the Detroit Tigers clubhouse after Friday night’s blowout loss to Cleveland at Comerica Park. MLB.com’s Jason Beck even tweeted that the Tigers clubhouse was closed for up to twenty minutes following the loss before the media could enter.

A decent amount of roster news was announced late Friday night following the loss, including information about who is going to start Saturday’s contest against the Indians. Instead of Saturday being a “bullpen day” as many expected, the Detroit Tigers have recalled LHP Gregory Soto from Triple-A Toledo so that he can start Saturday’s game.

Soto started four games for the Tigers in May and currently holds an 11.20 major league ERA. It’s far from the best, but considering the number of bullpen arms Detroit went through in Friday’s loss, having an established starter in Soto for Saturday’s game isn’t a bad idea.

With Soto being called up, the Detroit Tigers have optioned starter Ryan Carpenter to Triple-A. Carpenter started in the loss on Friday and lasted only three innings while surrendering six earned runs on eight hits.

To count another blow against the Tigers’ starting rotation, starter Tyson Ross is being transferred to the 60-day IL. Ross made his last start for Detroit on May 10th and has since been out with an elbow injury and his return was and still is uncertain.

In addition to Carpenter being sent down to Triple-A, the Tigers also announced Friday night that catcher Grayson Greiner is headed to the 10-day IL with a low back strain. Greiner was held out of Friday’s lineup and will be replaced by Bobby Wilson.

Wilson has been in the MLB since 2008 and has played for six different teams including the Angels, Rays, Rangers, and even played in five games for the Tigers in 2016. This year in Triple-A Toledo, Wilson is hitting a solid .273/.349/.455 with four HRs in 22 games.

Having an established starter in Soto for Saturday is a better option than trying to manage a bullpen game considering the circumstances. Wilson is a veteran catcher who can fill in for Greiner while he recovers, and hopefully, Carpenter can make some adjustments to his game in Toledo.