There's a good explanation why Tigers' Matt Manning was scratched from minor league start

Word came down on Wednesday afternoon that Matt Manning was scratched from his start for the Triple-A Toledo Mudhens. Instantly the mind goes to bad places, with so many pitcher injuries and Manning himself coming off a freak injury to his foot that prematurely ended his season last fall.

There might be a more innocent explanation behind the change.

Mud Hens manager Tim Federowicz told Brian Buckey of the Toledo Blade it was not an injury-related decision, but he could not comment on the particulars beyond that.

"We'll see how it plays out in the next couple days," he told Buckey.

Fast forward to Thursday morning. The forecast for the whole day in Detroit looks awful, and the Tigers decided not to even bother to try to get this one in.

The team announced the game will be made up Saturday as part of a double-header with the first game set for 1:10 p.m. ET and the second game to follow 40 minutes later.

Matt Manning likely to get spot start Saturday for Tigers vs. Twins

The team likely anticipated that happening all along and decided they would need Manning's services more in Detroit Saturday than in Toledo. That said, they have not made any announcement on that front yet.

Manning has already served as the "27th man" once this season, being called up for a spot start when the Tigers-Mets were pushed into a double-header due to rain Opening Week.

Manning tossed 5-2/3 no-hit innings last Thursday in the nightcap of the makeup, but the Tigers offense didn't provide any cushion and the team went on to lose. He struck out three batters but gave up four walks.

He has made one start for Toledo, allowing one run in five innings. He struck out seven and walked one.