It appears that Virgil Vasquez will be called up from Toledo for the second time this season to make a spot start in the second game of tomorrow's doubleheader vs. the White Sox.
Vasquez got the call from the big league club earlier this season when Jeremy Bonderman's blister problems prevented him from starting a Sunday night game against Minnesota. Unfortunately, that nationally televised debut didn't go so well for Vasquez, as he gave up six runs on nine hits in 2 2/3 innings.
The next day, on ESPN.com's "Baseball Today" podcast, I remember Peter Pascarelli saying he talked to one of the Tigers players following the game and asked him what you say to a young pitcher after an outing like that. According to the anonymous player, all you can really say is "We'll see you next spring in Lakeland," because you know you're probably not going to see him again this season.
Fortunately for his career track, Vasquez didn't curl up into a shell when he got back to Toledo, and has pitched very well lately. In his last start, Vasquez pitched a complete game five-hit shutout against Norfolk, and that may have given him the nod over other candidates such as Jordan Tata.
Vasquez was held out of his start for the Mud Hens yesterday, which leads to the conclusion that he's been tapped by the Tigers as the emergency starter for tomorrow night. The White Sox will start knuckleballer Charlie Haeger.
UPDATE: Vasquez's start is now official. (via Mack Avenue Tigers)