How Detroit Tigers' Matt Manning is approaching second MLB start, first at Comerica Park

Detroit Tigers right-hander Matt Manning stood outside the dugout at Comerica Park and watched his teammates prepare for Tuesday's series opener with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The 23-year-old rookie is scheduled to start Wednesday for his home debut. He made his MLB debut last Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim and posted five innings of two-run ball. Facing the Shohei Ohtani-led Angels, Manning prioritized soothing his nerves throughout the biggest day of his career.

But gazing at Comerica Park made Manning think about his future.

"This is a ballpark that I know very well, just from being here," Manning said. "It's a place I want to play. Hopefully, I'll have a lot of success."

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Manning made his MLB debut Thursday in a 7-5 loss against the Angels. He allowed two runs on four hits and two walks, with three strikeouts, across five innings. Born in Sacramento, pitching in his home state brought many family members and friends to the ballpark.

Beyond the on-field results, Hinch has been impressed with Manning's demeanor behind the scenes since joining the team last week in Kansas City. The skipper continues to watch the youngest member of his pitching staff cling to 24-year-old starters Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal for guidance.

The Tigers had an off-day Monday, but Manning showed up at Comerica Park to watch Skubal, who was preparing for Tuesday's start, pitch his bullpen session.

"He's a good teammate," Hinch said about Manning. "He does feel like he belongs here. He's going to get more and more comfortable with the more experience he gets. But he's pretty calm, cool and collected, all the things you want out of a young pitcher to feel like he fits in.

"He's not wowed necessarily by the level or the third deck. I think I just got to make sure he doesn't put too much pressure on himself and doesn't have to be perfect. He's going to be allowed to learn along the way, just how we have with Tarik and Casey."

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For Manning's MLB debut, Statcast recorded 53 four-seam fastballs, 10 sliders, seven changeups, six curveballs and one two-seam fastball. He was pulled after completing the fifth inning and threw 47 of 77 pitches for strikes.

As Manning gets more comfortable, the expectation is that he won't need to rely on his fastball for nearly 70% of his pitches. There could be a shift in his pitch mix as soon as Wednesday against the Cardinals.

"I know I've got to throw more curveballs for strikes, more changeups and whatnot," Manning said. "I kind of just go out there and go by what I read off swings and stuff like that. If my fastball's going to play, I'll throw it. And when I need to throw something else, I will."

Hinch added: "He's not going to be 70%-plus fastball, and I'm not going to go get him after 75 pitches all the time. I don't think he'll be as nervous as he was the first time, and execution is always going to be key for him. The (Cardinals have) some areas to go with your fastball, but there's also some needed secondary pitches."

Now that Manning has digested his first MLB appearance, as well as getting a week to experience life as a big leaguer, the franchise's No. 3 prospect (according to MLB Pipeline) has shifted his focus from managing nerves to winning games.

"I know it's all about competing, the results and trying to get a W," Manning said.

Burrows joins Twins; Ramos is a free agent

Right-handed reliever Beau Burrows was designated for assignment, thus removing him from the 40-man roster, June 15 as part of a slew of roster moves. The No. 22 overall pick in the 2015 draft was claimed off waivers Tuesday by the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins optioned Burrows, 24, to Triple-A St. Paul, where he will attempt to work back to the majors while staying in the American League Central.

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Burrows made one appearance for the Tigers this season, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks over 1⅔ innings. He has pitched in six games — all coming as a reliever — and 8⅓ innings in his MLB career, with an 8.64 ERA, three walks and six strikeouts.

Catcher Wilson Ramos cleared unconditional release waivers Tuesday and is now a free agent. The 33-year-old hit .200 with six home runs, 13 RBIs, six walks and 29 strikeouts in 35 games this season. He spent two stints on the 10-day injured list with a lumbar spine strain and was designated for assignment alongside Burrows.

The Tigers signed Ramos to a one-year, $2 million contract this past winter.

Goodrum returns home

After being placed on the 10-day injured list, shortstop Niko Goodrum traveled home to Georgia for the birth of his daughter. As for the tendon sprain in his left index finger, he is waiting for the swelling in his hand to decrease before restarting baseball activities.

"It's going to be somewhat to tolerance, somewhat to the inflammation getting out of there," Hinch said. "He should play before the All-Star break."

Turnbull ready to throw

One of the Tigers' best pitchers this season, right-hander Spencer Turnbull, is making progress in his return from the 10-day injured list. He is dealing with a right forearm strain and hasn't pitched since June 4 against the Chicago White Sox.

In Lakeland, Florida, the Tigers are ready for Turnbull to begin a throwing program.

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"Spencer is going to start to throw this week, which is a good sign," Hinch said. "There's only so many ways I can describe a throwing program, but it's a start. Hopefully, he stays pain free and continues to ramp up."

Evan Petzold is a sports reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How Detroit Tigers rookie Matt Manning is approaching second MLB start