Players in Triple-A Toledo were aware of the timeline.
Mud Hens manager Lloyd McClendon called a team meeting after Wednesday's game in Rochester, New York. Major League Baseball rosters expanded by two players Thursday, and the Detroit Tigers planned to promote at least one position player from Toledo.
"We thought we'd figure out who was going up," infielder Ryan Kreidler said.
Instead, the Tigers promoted two position players: Kreidler, for his MLB debut, and first baseman Spencer Torkelson. A member of the Mud Hens' coaching staff tapped Torkelson on the shoulder to invite him into McClendon's office, where he received the news of his return to the big leagues.