DETROIT (AP) -The Detroit Tigers optioned reliever Aquilino Lopez to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, and plan to activate injured set-up man Fernando Rodney.
Rodney has missed the entire season with shoulder problems, as has fellow set-up man Joel Zumaya. Both pitchers were on injury rehab assignments in Toledo, and the Tigers hope to have Zumaya back within the next week to 10 days.
Rodney is expected to be activated on Monday.
Lopez will work as a starting pitcher with the Mud Hens as the Tigers try to find someone to replace Dontrelle Willis, who is in Class A battling control problems. Lopez has never started in the majors and hasn’t started in the minors since 2002, but has done it during the off-season.
“He starts in winter ball and does a nice job,” said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. “We’re pretty much out of depth when it comes to starters.”
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