joshv02 wrote:

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.....Is it 20 days, or 20 consecutive days? 

Btw, it doesn't matter if he is a Sept call up or not, if the minor league season ends the 20 days stops counting (this was the Bowden issue a few years ago).

It's 20 consecutive days back in the minors (this came up last year and I saved the detailed discussion so I could check when it came up again).  With some maneuvering, they could send him back down for a good chunk of the remainder of the season and still not burn an option.

That said, my guess is they're hoping to use him as a starter for a while (maybe longer if Lackey continues to suck) and then possibly a swing man a la Masterson.  The fact he was a closer in college gives them a range of possibilities.  Of course how he performs will determine what they end up doing, but getting him some experience now increases their chances of getting use out of him later.

BTW, I think they see an advantage to having both Doubront and Weiland with some ML experience so they're both realistic possibilities later.