Detroit Tigers bench coach George Lombard was sent by manager AJ Hinch to deliver the news toward the end of Monday's 15-6 beatdown by the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park.
Utility player Harold Castro was needed.
Castro, 27, has competed at seven of nine positions in his four-year MLB career, but he added pitcher to his resume in the embarrassing loss. He warmed up in the batting cages before taking the mound for a scoreless inning.
"We just told him to throw as slow as he could and throw the ball over the plate, let what happens happen," Hinch said Monday.