The first half’s biggest pitching surprise, second-year reliever Brayan Villarreal, missed all of the first series of the second half with a neck problem.

He woke up the first day in Baltimore, feeling a “pinch” on the back of his neck. It hurt when he rotated his head to the side.

“I start feeling bad and I let them know I can’t pitch like that. Then I tried to just warm up and I felt like it still hurt,” said Villarreal, who spent the whole series in the dugout. “I think it started like from sleeping and when I went to practice, I didn't move.” 

The Tigers training staff had Villarreal (3-2, 1.55 ERA, .178 batting average against) see a neck specialist on Monday.

With as many times as different players have had to consult specialists this year, seems like the team is keeping them in business.

“We sure as (heck) have,” manager Jim Leyland said.