Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila began Thursday's news conference in a serious tone.
He announced the organization decided to shut down right-handers Matt Manning and Alex Faedo because of forearm strains. He commented on the postponement of games stemming from teams and players protesting racial injustice.
And then, Avila chuckled.
"Torkelson, bringing him up this year?" he said, laughing. "Well, that would be ..."
He didn't finish his sentence about third baseman Spencer Torkelson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft, because there's no chance the organization's top prospect will be in the big-leagues until at least 2021.