Anthony Fenech

Detroit Free Press

OAKLAND, Calif. – Steven Moya was the odd man out.

With the Tigers recalling left-hander Matt Boyd to start Saturday against the Athletics, they sent Moya back to Triple-A Toledo to keep building on his strong start to 2016.

“He needs at-bats and he can’t play centerfield,” bench coach Gene Lamont, who assumed managerial duties for the series opener Friday night, said. “We probably need somebody that can play centerfield if we’re going to have an outfielder out there. Right now, we just need to do something to get a pitcher.”

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Moya helped the Tigers out in a pinch while he was up. In nine games, he went 9-for-32 with four extra-base hits. A rightfielder by trade, he played leftfield to add punch to the lineup while the team struggled on their last road trip, and filled in for Justin Upton when he was out of the lineup for two games earlier in the week.

“It’s too bad,” Lamont said. “I thought Steven showed very well why he was here. It’s not easy and then when he comes off the bench, it’s tough.”

With Upton healthy, the Tigers had no way to get him consistent at-bats.

Moya is hitting .310 with nine home runs and 24 RBI in 31 games this season with the Mud Hens. He showed improved plate discipline in his first major league stint since September.

“You don’t wish that on anybody, especially a young kid like him,” Lamont said about sending him out. “I thought he was impressive and we like him in our system.”

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@anthonyfenech.

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Sunday: Athletics

Matchup: Tigers at Oakland, 4:05,

TV/radio: FSD; WXYT-FM (97.1).

Pitchers: Tigers — RH Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 5.55 ERA); Athletics — LH Rich Hill (7-3, 2.18).