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Category: Tigers

MAKEUP DATE

Nothing official, but the most likely dates are either July 24 or Sept. 1 - the Tigers wouldn't be greatly inconvenienced by either. The July date probably would be a night game after the Tigers return from Kansas CIty and the Labor Day date would be a day game on what's currently scheduled as an off day in the middle of a home stand.

Category: Tigers

No Personnel Moves?

That's what Leyland said on Sunday in Minneapolis, that the moves the Tigers were going to make only involved the lineup - which turned out to revolve around Sheffield.

I don't think he had any intention of Jones being let go. In fact, he'd spoken to both Jones and Marcus Thames about DHing "a little bit" - only to have to go back to Jones and be part of the discussion informing him that his contract was designated for assignment.

The drastic moves Leyland had in mind were moving Sheffield to left and down to sixth in the lineup. Nothing more. Instead, they ended up being more drastic than even he had in mind.

Category: Tigers

Setback for Willis

It turns out that Willis "tweaked" his right knee during his Toledo start on Friday night. The Tigers just announced that his rehab start has been recalled, meaning the clock that allows rehab starts to last a maximum of 30 days has been stopped.

Instead of starting for Toledo on Wednesday night, Willis will throw on the side later this week in Detroit.

Something "Drastic" Coming

Admitting his team "can be pretty tough to watch sometimes" - and also troubled by inconsistent offense - Manager Jim Leyland is going to shake up his batting order on Monday for the start of the Boston series.

There will be no personnel changes, as in roster moves, but it looks like there will be a lineup shakeup.

Leyland won't say what those could be, but obviously Gary Sheffield hitting farther down in the lineup would be a move he's likely to consider. Sheffield isn't in the lineup at all today, so that's why Leyland is not implementing the changes today.

Category: Tigers

Roster Move

The Tigers have placed right-hander Denny Bautista on the 15-day disabled list because of shoulder tendinitis and purchased the contract of right-hander Freddy Dolsi from Double A Erie.

Bautista's injury is not believed to be serious enough for his DL time to be extended past 15 days, however.

After beginning the season at Lakeland, Dolsi hadn't allowed a run in three appearances (three innings) at Erie.

Category: Tigers

Give Nothing Away

Miguel Cabrera is off to a productive start, but manager Jim Leyland wants him to give away fewer at-bats.

"I'd like to see him bear down on every single at-bat for a week to show me how good he is," Leyland said Friday. "This kid is such a talent, it's incredible. He hit a ball out of Yankee Stadium like a left-handed pull-hitter.

"But I think the situation dictates his concentration. When the situation becomes big, he locks in. But I want to see what happens if he locks in every at-bat. There's no telling what he might do. He's a special talent.

"I don't mean that he dogs it or is lazy," said Leyland. "He's one of those guys who, if it's not a big situation, he sometimes gives away at-bats. But I mean this as a compliment. I would pay to see him hit."

Category: Tigers

Meet Zach Simons

Just ran across this on fanhome.com about the pitcher the Tigers got for Grilli. It was posted on 1/26/07: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CNBC just did a story about sports agents and the loyalty (or lack thereof) of their player clients. The story featured Rockies farmhand Zach Simons, who received a $625,000 bonus to sign with the Rox in 2005. The odd part of this story is that Simons put a TATOO of his sports agent's firm logo on his right shoulder, his pitching shoulder! Apparently, he's trying to express his devout loyalty to the agent that helped him land the big bonus. Maybe based on his stats, we can understand Simons' gratitude. He has a career ERA of 5.24 between rookie and low-A ball the past two seasons, with unimpressive peripherals. He also came off as a goofy "surfer dude" blonde personality on the CNBC story, and may never need the services of his agent again.

Sheffield Back

But Guillen isn't - however Guillen is moving much better than he was on Thursday. Leyland still thinks it's probable that Guillen won't be ready by Saturday - but his bruised right knee appears to be improving quickly.

As for Sheffield, his right shoulder (after two cortisone shots) is feeling "good enough" for him to swing a bat, so he's back in the lineup

Category: Tigers

FINAL: Tigers top Rangers, 10-2

This was an odd one. But anytime Ramon Santiago goes deep, it's going to be classified as odd. The best news for the Tigers was Justin Verlander started to look more like himself tonight. From an offensive standpoint, Edgar Renteria continues to swing a hot bat. So far, so good to start the series.

Category: Tigers

10-2 Tigers, bottom of the 8th

I think Josh Rupe just got tuckered out, poor fella. Edgar Renteria got the single, Rupe then hit Brandon Inge and then walked Ramon Santiago on four pitches. They brought in Wes Littleton, but the Tigers have gotten two more runs on RBI groundouts from Clete Thomas and Ivan Rodriguez. Don't think Todd Jones will be getting a save tonight.

Good grief, it's a Walk-a-palooza! Littleton walked Carlos Guillen on a full count and then walked Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera on four pitches each.

Finally, the inning ends.