Hanifee will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher in Sunday's game against the Royals, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
The right-hander has some experience as an opener and will start Sunday's bullpen game for Detroit. Since getting called up from Triple-A Toledo in late April, Hanifee has allowed five hits with a 4:1 K:BB across 6.2 scoreless frames in four appearances.