Drew Smyly's next rotation turn will be skipped

Thanks to days off this coming Monday and Thursday, the Detroit Tigers are going to skip a Drew Smyly start for the second time this season.

Smyly's normal rotation turn would have come Monday, a scheduled day off. Manager Brad Ausmus says skipping Smyly is the only direction he could go without disrupting the schedules of the other four rotation members.

"He pitched so well the other day, I didn't want to do it to him again. But the truth is there really wasn't another answer. If we tried to keep everyone in their normal rotation, guys would get pushed back (to) seven days. We just can't do that."

This means another temporary bullpen stint for the 24-year-old lefty. Smyly could be available out of the bullpen against the Twins on Sunday, and will be available in relief role during the coming series with the White Sox.

Smyly's return to the rotation will be sometime during next weekend's series in Kansas City, the game yet to be determined.

It's unfortunate the schedule has forced Ausmus' hand, as Smyly had looked to have readjusted to a starter's role. After a very rocky first start, a loss to the Angels which lasted only three innings and 82 pitches, Smyly was back in form against the White Sox. Before the bullpen coughed up the game, Smyly was in line for his first win as a starting pitcher since 2012, allowing just two runs and six hits over six innings, striking out seven.