Sears (0-1) took the loss against the Royals on Sunday, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out three.
Sears, who worked in bulk relief for his major-league debut, didn't leave an encouraging first impression Sunday. The left-hander was the third pitcher to enter the game for the Tigers and threw just 45 of his 74 pitches for strikes, surrendering three extra-base hits on the afternoon and four of his five runs in the fifth inning. Manager A.J. Hinch said Sunday that Sears will get an extended look for the rest of the season, per Jackson Stone of MLB.com, but whether he'll serve as a starter or long reliever will be contingent upon Detroit's bullpen usage.