Furbush optioned to Triple-A following loss

Furbush optioned to Triple-A following loss
By Adam Holt / MLB.com | 07/10/11 12:13 AM ET

KANSAS CITY -- After lasting just 2 2/3 innings in a 13-6 loss to the Royals on Saturday night, Tigers rookie Charlie Furbush was optioned to Triple-A Toledo.

Furbush made just his second Major League start and gave up nine runs on nine hits with two walks, although just four of the runs were earned.

Manager Jim Leyland announced the move following the game, saying it would allow Furbush to start Toledo's game on Thursday, instead of having the left-hander sit idly during the upcoming All-Star break.

"He's just got to get ahead of hitters and make pitches," Leyland said. "And he didn't do that at all tonight. He's going to have to eventually learn how to control the running game a bit better, obviously. That's a work in progress, but it's a nice work. I like him a lot. He's a good looking young pitcher and that's what he is."

Furbush said he has a few things to work on.

"Throwing more first-pitch strikes, throwing more quality strikes all around," he said. "That's really it. You leave balls a little bit too over the plate or not hitting the right location, guys are going to hit the ball."

The left-hander was 0-2 in the two games he started, allowing three runs in a 5-1 loss to the Angels on July 4.

Third baseman Danny Worth will be called up from Toledo to take Furbush's roster spot. Furbush's next turn in the rotation would be Wednesday, July 20 against Oakland.

As to whether Furbush will return after making his start for the Mud Hens, Leyland was non-committal.

"We're going to play it by ear from there," he said.

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