The Detroit Tigers announced earlier this week that Andy Oliver would start Saturday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. But after calling up Adam Wilk to fill in for Phil Coke going on the disabled list, the question became who would go to make room for Oliver?
Wilk seemed like the natural choice, as Charlie Furbush is already admirably filling the long relief role in the bullpen. (He pitched five scoreless innings on Friday, giving him 8 2/3 – with nine strikeouts – in his first two appearances with the Tigers.) But maybe Wilk impressed the Tigers with the 3 2/3 innings he pitched in Thursday’s 14-1 blowout.
Someone who wasn’t impressive in Thursday’s game was Ryan Perry, who gave up four runs on four hits in just 1 1/3 innings. That gave him seven runs allowed in his last two outings, which was clearly enough for the Tigers. He was sent to Triple-A Toledo after Friday’s game to clear a spot for Oliver.
“Right now we’re just beating ourselves up. We are and so is Ryan, and he knows that,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. “He just needs to get away from this atmosphere, hopefully temporarily, and get it going again, get his stuff straightened out in a little more relaxed atmosphere.”
Maybe Perry can settle on a haircut while pitching for the Mud Hens, as well. Neither the long-haired look nor the shaved head have worked for him this season. Perry has compiled a 12.19 ERA with 17 hits, nine walks and 10 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings. He also struggled with an eye infection that put him on the 15-day disabled list.