Tigers Mull Subtraction When They Add Ordonez
Detroit will have at least the weekend to mull over a decision it probably already knows the answer to: who goes when Magglio Ordonez is ready to return from the disabled list?
Ordonez is spending the weekend with Toledo on a rehab assignment. Reports by manager Jim Leyland say the right fielder looks better now that he's spent time working on strengthening the right ankle that was operated on last August to repair a fracture.
He was having trouble generating power in his swing from the lower half of his body the first six weeks of the season and it was reflected in his .172 batting average.
Ordonez been fitted with a shoe insert to help minimize discomfort and if all goes well this weekend Detroit could activate him for its series in Texas starting Monday.
His return, though, means the Tigers will have to trim a player. The prime candidates seem to be Andy Dirks, Casper Wells and Danny Worth. Dirks hits left-handed, the other two bat from the right side.
Dirks is new to the majors, having replaced Ordonez early in May. He's made a good impression on Leyland, plays all three outfield positions and gives the club solid at-bats, for the most part.
Wells has been used more sparsely than Dirks over the last three weeks, mainly because of the right-handed thing.
Worth is an option because Ryan Raburn is being given first crack at second base. Ramon Santiago and Worth have also received playing time in the week since Scott Sizemore was traded to Oakland.
The fact that Santiago is a switch-hitter means he could play if Leyland wants to load his lineup with left-handed hitters.
The organization is probably leaning one way already. But injuries have a way of cropping up and there are still a few days remaining for someone to change the club's mind.
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