Galarraga in line to start for Hens

Armando Galarraga

On June 2, Armando Galarraga came within an umpire's ruling of throwing the 21st perfect game in major league history. Roughly a month later, Galarraga is a Mud Hen again.

After Galarraga's start against Baltimore Tuesday night the Tigers announced that the 28-year-old right-hander would be optioned to Toledo, with RHP Robbie Weinhardt promoted to Detroit.

But Galarraga's demotion has nothing to do with his recent performance, although he has a 1-1 record and a 5.61 ERA since coming within an out of a perfect game against Cleveland. In that contest, Toledo native Jim Joyce ruled Jason Donald safe at first base on a play that should have been the game's final out, forcing Galarraga to settle for a one-hit shutout.

Tuesday's move has more to do with keeping the Tigers' rotation intact with the All-Star Break approaching. With no games next Monday through Thursday because of the break, Galarraga won't start for Detroit again until July 20 against Texas.

Galarraga will make one start for the Mud Hens, taking the mound next Thursday at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Weinhardt saw action in the Tigers' 4-2 win over Baltimore Wednesday night, pitching a scoreless eighth before giving up a leadoff triple to Adam Jones in the ninth. Jones scored on a sacrifice fly.

Weinhardt was 1-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 19 appearances with the Hens this season. After struggling in April, Weinhardt allowed just seven hits in 10 innings in May before suffering a shoulder injury.