Josh Wilson, Daniel Fields called up by Tigers in a flurry of moves

Infield utilityman Josh Wilson was called up Tuesday ahead of the Tigers' series-opening game against the Athletics. So was outfielder Daniel Fields. Pitcher Buck Farmer has been optioned to make room, and outfielder Rajai Davis is headed to paternity leave.

Also Tuesday, Alfredo Simon was also reinstated from the bereavement list and will start tonight. Hernan Perez was designated for assignment and claimed off waivers by the Brewers.

Brad Ausmus said that Justin Verlander will make another rehab start Saturday for the Mud Hens, but that he'd be surprised if Verlander needed any additional minor league starts after that.

Wilson was hitting .291 with a .350 on-base percentage and .372 slugging through 37 games with the Triple-A Mud Hens this year. The 34-year-old right-handed hitter has spent parts of seven years in the big league, compiling a .226/.278/.316 line with eight different teams before joining the Tigers. This is his first year in Detroit's organization after spending last season with Texas.

Wilson has spent most of his major league time at shortstop, where he was a bit below average as a defender earlier in his career. He's also logged more than 500 innings at second base and nearly 200 at third base, where he's likely to be about average.

Late Monday night we learned outfielder Daniel Fields -- a son of Detroit! -- would receive his first call to the majors as well. He will replace Rajai Davis, who is taking a few days for paternity leave. Fields is hitting .271/.394/.486 for the Hens through 48 games.

Farmer made one start for the Tigers, allowing seven runs on nine hits and a walk in five innings against the Angels.

Perez hit .061 in 33 at bats in 2015.