Sarasota, Fla. — After his manager made clear he is, officially, in the Tigers rotation, Shane Greene celebrated Wednesday night by pitching more like an ace.
He was that good in the 2-1 nipping of the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium.
Greene worked 5-2/3 innings, rather effortlessly, allowing three hits — two of them infield hits — while striking out nine, walking one and hitting a batter.
It was splendid work by a right-handed pitcher who is trying to forget a nightmarish 2015 that included circulatory surgery. And it came only a couple of hours after Tigers manager Brad Ausmus ended any suspense by saying Greene would fill a final vacant rotation spot.