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Ben Verlander, who began the season at the Whitecaps starting right fielder, has been sent to Single A, short-season Connecticut.

(MLive file photo)

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Justin Verlander isn’t the only one in the family having a tough season so far. Things aren’t going so great for his brother, Ben, either.

The West Michigan Whitecaps on Thursday announced Ben Verlander had been sent to the Detroit’s short-season Class A Connecticut affiliate.

Verlander was hitting .208 in 56 games.

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The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Verlander struggled at the plate with just four hits in 36 at bats his past 10 games. Six of his seven extra base hits came in the first month of the season.

He opened the season as the starting right fielder, but his playing time was reduced when center fielder Austin Schotts came off the disabled list in May and Wynton Bernard – who made the all-star team – was shifted to right.

Verlander was a 14th-round selection out of Old Dominion last year. After signing, he played 67 games with Connecticut and batted .219 with four home runs in 256 at bats.

With the move, the Whitecaps added catcher Grayson Greiner to the roster. The third-round pick out of the University of South Carolina becomes the first member of the Tigers’ 2014 draft class to join the Whitecaps.

The Whitecaps begin the second half of the season 7 tonight at Fifth Third Ballpark against Fort Wayne.