But what if Robertson's swollen left thumb takes more than a week to heal?

What if Jeremy Bonderman needs more time to ramp up his velocity?

What if Tigers manager Jim Leyland and general manager Dave Dombrowski decide rookie Rick Porcello needs more seasoning in the minors?

If two of those three scenarios play out, Miner is in the rotation for at least awhile.

Leyland recently told Miner there was a "99.9 percent chance" he would be in the bullpen. Things "weren't clicking" for him, despite the feeling that he had good stuff and a live arm.

Then, he had strong bullpen sessions, shut out the Yankees for three innings Saturday and buzzed through the Mets.

"Today was a perfect example of not over-thinking," Leyland said after a 10-6 win. "It was a surprise, and he went out and pitched his (butt) off. His stuff is plenty good enough. He went out there and looked like a pretty good big-league pitcher today.

"Hopefully, it's a lesson for him."

Miner, who made 13 starts and relieved 32 times while going 8-5 with a 4.27 ERA last season for Detroit, said he spoke with his agent and his father after getting told about the bullpen likelihood.

"I was a miserable pig, frustrated with what was going on," Miner said. "They put things in perspective for me and got me to relax. I'm not out there to win jobs, but to throw a Baseball."