Norris moves to 'pen; Alexander in rotation

Daniel Norris’ return to the Detroit rotation lasted one start. The results Sunday were wild enough that the Tigers will move him to the bullpen to try to get him straightened out.

Tyler Alexander, who struck out nine consecutive batters last time out to set a Major League record for a reliever, will move into the rotation next Tuesday against the White Sox. Norris will piggyback Michael Fulmer for his start Monday to begin that series.

The Tigers activated Norris from the 10-day injured list when they needed a starter for Sunday’s doubleheader against the Reds, having seen enough from his rehab work at the alternate training site in Toledo, Ohio, to believe he could give them a few quality innings. Norris struggled with his command and mechanics, throwing 54 pitches while recording five outs. He allowed two runs on four hits over 1 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out none.

It was a far cry from what the Tigers saw from Norris down the stretch last year, when he posted a 2.25 ERA and allowed a .546 OPS over his final eight starts, all three-inning outings.

“It just didn't look like he was ready to do this on a starting basis. He misfired all over the place and I think was a little overwhelmed,” manager Ron Gardenhire said Friday. “But we think eventually he will be back in [the rotation]. We just have to get him to calm down and give him some easier innings to get through to get his confidence back up.”

If Norris pitches long relief Monday against the White Sox, that would likely rule him out of starting in Thursday’s doubleheader against the Cardinals, unless he were to pitch an inning or two as an opener. With Dario Agrazal nowhere close to returning from the injured list, the Tigers would likely have to choose between an opener such as Rule 5 Draft pick Rony García, or calling up someone from Toledo, such as No. 2 prospect Casey Mize. The availability of an extra roster slot for the doubleheader would make the latter a little easier.

Nova returns to Pittsburgh
Though Iván Nova is best remembered as a Yankee, he spent three seasons with the Pirates from 2016-18, and he was part of Pittsburgh rotations that included Gerrit Cole, Tyler Glasnow and Chris Archer. It’s a different team now, he said, and he approaches his first start against his old team -- on Saturday -- as just another outing.

Nova pitched in 2018 with several members of the current Pirates rotation, including Trevor Williams, Joe Musgrove, Chad Kuhl and Steven Brault. He posted a 9-9 record with a 4.19 ERA in 29 starts that year, after going 11-14 with a 4.14 ERA in 31 starts the year before. He went 5-2 with 3.06 ERA in 11 starts down the stretch in '16 after his trade.

“After the trade, I worked more on my mental game than my physical game,” Nova said. “Especially for me, I was starting my whole career and then spent my last year in New York in the bullpen. Coming from New York to Pittsburgh and going back to the rotation, the mental part of the game I really worked on. I learned a lot from these guys. Jameson Taillon, really smart guy. Trevor Williams, same way.”

Nova was very good at PNC Park, going 13-8 with a 2.75 ERA over 31 starts there over those three seasons.

Haase has up-close seat to Tigers pitching present and future
The Tigers’ taxi squad for this series consists of one player, since Toledo is an afternoon drive away. Catcher Eric Haase is with the team for pregame meetings, batting practice and catching side sessions, and he works as a bullpen catcher during games. But he won’t see game action unless the Tigers have an injury to a catcher.

MLB rules for this season require teams to carry an extra catcher with them on the taxi squad.

Haase has also worked out at the alternate training site, catching many of the top pitching prospects.

“They look sharp,” Haase said. “It kind of gets creative. You’re facing the same guys over and over again, and there’s some good hitters down there, guys that have done it at the big league level. For those young guys coming up, it really forces them to get creative and bear down like they would in a season.”