DETROIT -- Shane Greene won American League Reliever of the Month honors for April on the strength of 12 saves in as many chances, the most in Tigers history by the end of April. But his success has to do with more than simply more opportunities.

After dealing with home runs and losses down the stretch last year, admittedly tiring near season’s end, Greene has started the season with some of the best stuff he has shown since converting to the bullpen in 2016. Statistically, he has been better than even his breakthrough season in 2017.

His weighted on-base average allowed (wOBA) of .177 ranks in the top two percent of league pitchers according to Statcast, while his expected batting average of .193 ranks among the top 15 percent. His strikeout rate ranks in the 90th percentile. All this improvement comes despite a slight uptick in exit velocity and hard-hit rate, albeit in a small sample size.

The big difference, not surprisingly, is in strikeouts. His slider and cutter are the major reasons for the uptick. His strikeout rate on his slider is up from 37.9 to 47.1 percent, his whiff rate up from 34.6 to 43.5 percent. For the cutter, the K-rate has nearly doubled from 19.4 percent to 35.3, and the whiff rate from 26.5 to 41.9.

In neither case have the usage rates changed. But by locating his pitches better, Greene has avoided trouble.

“He’s got great stuff, and he’s really locating the ball,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He’s healthy, which is always important. Hopefully we give him enough breaks where he doesn’t have to pitch too many games in a row.”

Greene pitched in Friday night's 4-3 win for the first time since Tuesday. Despite allowing his first home run in a save situation this season, he struck out two and converted his 13th opportunity, completing the victory over the Royals.

Ross rejoins team
Tyson Ross rejoins the Tigers rotation Saturday after returning from the paternity list. His rotation on diaper duty is likely just beginning.

“Everyone says, 'Good luck with sleep now,'” Ross said. “I think I’ll get it when I can and enjoy my time with them.”

Tyson and his wife Ashley welcomed their first son, Jordan Anthony Ross, into the world on Wednesday. The baby weighed in at seven pounds, two ounces.

Ross was originally scheduled to start Tuesday in Philadelphia. Once Ashley went into labor, he flew back to Detroit to be there for the birth.

“My wife went through a pretty long labor,” he said. “She’s a true champ for how she dealt with that. He took his time coming out, but he’s here now. He’s healthy, my wife’s doing good and we’re all happy.”

No word on whether Jordan Anthony Ross is right- or left-handed.

Price back behind microphone
While the Tigers continue to deal with injuries up and down their playing roster, they opened up their homestand with an encouraging return in the broadcast booth. Former Tigers catcher and current radio analyst Jim Price was back at the ballpark and on the air Friday.

Price, 77, missed the just-completed road trip and much of the previous homestand with illness, including a bout with the flu. Former Tigers pitcher Dan Petry filled in. Price made an appearance Friday afternoon in the Tigers clubhouse, where he was greeted by several well-wishers.

Tigers prospect Burrows to IL
While the buzz continues to build about the pitching prospects the Tigers have assembled at Double-A Erie, their top pitching prospect at Triple-A Toledo is shelved for now. Beau Burrows, Detroit’s No. 6 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has been placed on the seven-day injured list with mild biceps tendinitis, according to vice president of player development Dave Littlefield.

Burrows went on the IL ahead of his turn in the Mud Hens rotation earlier this week. The 22-year-old right-hander gave up eight runs on as many hits, including three home runs, over 4 2/3 innings in his last start April 27. Hens manager Doug Mientkiewicz told the Toledo Blade’s Brian Buckey that an MRI exam showed inflammation but no structural damage.

Burrows has been notably durable on his way up the organizational ladder, making 26 starts in each of his last two seasons.

Burrows’ injury rules out any chance, however remote, of the first-round pick being in the mix when the Tigers need two starters for next Saturday’s doubleheader at Minnesota. The Tigers have exercised patience with Burrows, evidenced by his full season last year at Double-A Erie.

Quick hits
Tigers left fielder Christin Stewart started a Minor League rehab assignment with Class A Advanced Lakeland Friday night, serving as the designated hitter for the Flying Tigers game at Bradenton. He went 3-for-5 and fell a triple short of hitting for the cycle in his return. Stewart has been on the 10-day injured list since April 18 with a right quad strain.

Reliever Bryan Garcia, the Tigers’ 21st-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, has been activated from the injured list and assigned to Lakeland. The former University of Miami closer was a fifth-round Draft pick in 2016 and rose to Triple-A Toledo by the end of 2017 before undergoing Tommy John surgery last year.

Cousins gets first pitch
Former Michigan State quarterback and current Minnesota Viking Kirk Cousins threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Friday night's game, hours after delivering the keynote address at Michigan State’s commencement in East Lansing.