Tigers option veteran reliever ahead of Keider Montero’s season debut

One of the pillars of last season's Detroit Tigers pitching staff will make his return to the Major League mound Wednesday.

The Tigers have called up right-hander Keider Montero from Triple-A Toledo ahead of Wednesday's game against the Brewers, optioning veteran reliever Brenan Hanifee in a corresponding move. Montero will start Wednesday's game in place of scheduled starter Reese Olson as manager A.J. Hinch makes an effort to manage the workload for his pitching staff with the Tigers set to play 13 games in 13 days. By slotting in Montero on Wednesday, every Tigers starter can get an extra day of rest.

Montero made his Major League debut last season as injuries ravaged the Tigers' rotation. He went 6-6 with a 4.76 ERA in 19 games (16 starts), striking out 77 and walking 31 in 98 1/3 innings. Batters hit .265 against him and he had a 1.33 WHIP. The 24-year-old was in the mix for a starting rotation spot during spring training this year, but the Tigers optioned him to Triple-A before the season.

In two starts for Toledo this season, Montero went 1-1 with a 2.79 ERA, 11 strikeouts and one walk in 9 2/3 innings of work. Batters are hitting just .176 against him.

Tigers option veteran reliever Brenan Hanifee ahead of Keider Montero’s season debut

Hanifee last pitched in relief in Tuesday’s game against the Brewers, throwing 38 pitches and giving up three hits, two runs (none earned) and a walk over 1 1/3 innings of work. With a pitch count that high, Hanifee likely would not have been available to throw again until at least Friday.

Hanifee has pitched to a 2.25 ERA in three games for the Tigers this season. He has pitched eight innings, giving up seven hits and four runs (two earned). He has struck out four and walked two, holding opposing hitters to a .219 batting average.

The Tigers cannot call up Hanifee for 15 days unless someone on the pitching staff has an injury that requires a move to the injured list.

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