DETROIT — Detroit Tigers left-handed pitcher Brant Hurter and manager A.J. Hinch didn’t expect him to be away from the big-league club for so long.

After being optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Aug. 17, the expectation was that he’d spend some time recapturing his strike zone before getting back in the swing of what’s been a strong season for the 27-year-old (3-3, 2.45 ERA).

But Hurter said a “freak thing” playing catch caused back discomfort before he could get in a game for the Mud Hens and had to wait a few weeks before ramping back up for three appearance beginning on Sept. 6.

“When we sent him out originally, we thought it’d be just a little tune up quick fix,” Hinch said Tuesday. “Get him down there, get his command back in order and then get him back up.”

A pair of scoreless appear

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