The writing is on the wall for this to be Drew VerHagen’s last start in a Tigers uniform. The 28-year-old righthander has struggled in previous chances — he has given up 11 runs on 16 hits in 8 2⁄3 innings in two starts this year, and has a career 9.35 ERA as a starter — and he has already been designated for assignment once this year. With several prospects coming up the pipeline, including the near-ready Kyle Funkhouser and Beau Burrows, VerHagen’s days in Detroit were always numbered.
This is especially true when considering the way the Tigers have set their rotation following Spencer Turnbull’s return from injury.