PHILADELPHIA -- Originally scheduled to take the ball for Tuesday's series opener in Philadelphia, right-hander Tyson Ross was instead placed on the paternity list. Rookie Spencer Turnbull moved up a day to start in Ross' place on regular rest, thanks to Monday's off-day.
Turnbull turned in six innings of one-run ball against the Phillies in a 3-1 win on Tuesday, allowing three hits, two walks and striking out five.
The Tigers recalled outfielder Victor Reyes from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move for Ross.
"The big thing here is Ross going home for the birth," said manager Ron Gardenhire. "That’s a big moment for them. So we just ad-lib on the baseball side of it. We’ve got these days off, so this one works in our favor."
Daniel Norris, who was slated to pitch Friday against the Royals, will start Wednesday in the final game of Detroit's brief two-game Interleague set at Citizens Bank Park. The southpaw is 1-for-6 in his career as a hitter, though the one hit was a two-run homer off Jon Lester in his first big league at-bat on Aug. 19, 2015.
"Norris is really fired up," Gardenhire said, "because now he gets to hit."
With another off-day on Thursday, the Tigers can start Matthew Boyd on normal rest Friday before needing to find a rotation fill-in for Saturday.
"We’re day by day right now," Gardenhire said. "We’ve got two games here. That’s what we’re trying to get through."
With Matt Moore and Michael Fulmer already out for the season, and Jordan Zimmermann landing on the injured list Friday, Gardenhire is relieved that the latest rotation shuffle is not injury-related.
"This one’s a good one though, it’s not a bad one -- somebody getting hurt again or something," Gardenhire said. "This is really a cool moment for Tyson, so we’re happy about that. This game always will be about family. That’s just the way it’s always been, and always will be, and it’s the right way."
Mercer returns, Harrison to IL
Shortstop Jordy Mercer, out since April 14 with a right quad strain, was activated from the injured list on Tuesday as expected. He started at shortstop in the series opener against the Phillies and went 1-for-4 with a single in the win.
"It's good to be back," Mercer said. "You miss the camaraderie. You miss the relationships you created in Spring Training. You try to watch on your phone -- the games and stuff -- but you want to be up here and helping out as much as you can."
Though Mercer is back, the Tigers remain without the other half of their starting duo up the middle. Josh Harrison was placed on the injured list prior to Tuesday's opener with a left shoulder contusion. The club selected infielder Harold Castro from Triple-A Toledo to take his place.
Harrison, who initially injured the shoulder while diving for a ball Saturday, had lobbied to return to the lineup on Tuesday, but Gardenhire said the veteran utility man is still having trouble finishing his swing comfortably.
"It’s nice to have [Mercer] back," Gardenhire said. "I’d like to have them both out there ... but getting Jordy back is really important for our team. He handles everything really well, he calms the whole situation down -- so it’s nice to have him back."
Gardenhire enjoys Mize's no-no from a distance
With three starting pitchers on the injured list and another landing on the paternity list Tuesday, no one could blame Gardenhire if he happened to wonder what impact Casey Mize might have on his club after watching Detroit's No. 1 prospect toss a no-hitter with Double-A Erie on Monday.
But Gardenhire said such a thought hasn't crossed his mind, in part because he knows that's not the plan that general manager Al Avila has for last year's No. 1 overall pick.
"Al’s told me, ‘Don’t even look at him,’" Gardenhire said with a laugh. "I’m happy he’s doing well, but honestly he’s not in my thoughts. Who’s at Triple-A that can come up and eat some innings up? That’s about where I’m at. I watch those guys, but I won’t think about it, because Al won’t let me."
Though Mize needed just 98 pitches to complete the no-hitter in his Double-A debut, Gardenhire isn't worried about the right-hander -- who turns 22 on Wednesday -- getting tested on his way to the big leagues.
"I’m sure that he’s going to have a few moments here at Double-A. Double-A is a good league with a lot of prospects," Gardenhire said. "He’s going to have some moments there where the ball is flying around, and that'll be good for him too. I don’t think he’s going to throw a no-hitter every game, that’s just my guess."