Left-hander Henry Owens has been called up from Triple-A Pawtucket to make the start in place of Eduardo Rodriguez as the Red Sox close out their four-game series in Detroit.
Rodriguez, who left his previous start in Baltimore on Tuesday night with a hamstring injury, told Red Sox manager John Farrell Saturday he wasn't ready to go, so Owens got the call.
Owens had control issues (13 walks in 12 1/3 innings) in his previous three-start stint with the Red Sox early in the season but has pitched better lately for the PawSox (2-1, 0.99 ERA in his past three starts). He had been scheduled to start in Scranton, Pa., Saturday night.
Tigers veteran Justin Verlander (12-7, 3.44 ERA) is coming off his first loss since June 26 in his previous start against the Royals. He beat the Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 25 (one run in six innings).
After holding on for a 3-2, rain-delayed victory Saturday night, the Red Sox have won five of their first-six on this 11-game trip that continues in Tampa Bay on Monday night.
The lineups:
Boston Red Sox
RED SOX
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Xander Bogaerts SS
David Ortiz DH
Mookie Betts RF
Hanley Ramirez 1B
Jackie Bradley Jr. CF
Sandy Leon C
Travis Shaw 3B
Andrew Benintendi LF
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Henry Owens LHP
TIGERS
Ian Kinsler 2B
Cameron Maybin CF
Miguel Cabrera DH
J.D. Martinez RF
Justin Upton LF
Casey McGehee 3B
James McCann C
Jarod Saltalamacchia 1B
Erick Aybar SS
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Justin Verlander RHP