Turner to get second career start on Thursday

Turner to get second career start on Thursday
By Jordan Schelling / MLB.com | 08/28/11 5:53 PM ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- Top Tigers prospect Jacob Turner will start Thursday against the Royals, making his second career big league start.

Turner, 20, took the loss on July 30 in his Major League debut, despite allowing just two runs on three hits over 5 1/3 innings. The right-hander also struck out six and walked three against the Angels.

With the Tigers opting to give American League Cy Young front-runner Justin Verlander an extra day before his next start, Turner will get the chance in the spot start. Manager Jim Leyland announced Turner would start after the Tigers' 11-4 loss to the Twins on Sunday.

Turner, drafted ninth overall by the Tigers in 2009, is 4-5 this season with a 3.44 ERA in 20 combined games at Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo. In three Triple-A starts, Turner is 1-0 with a 3.12 ERA, allowing six runs on 15 hits with 20 strikeouts and just three walks.

He is ranked No. 1 in the Tigers' system and No. 7 overall in MLB.com's Top 50 Prospects list.

Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.