Pudge plays, but Inge out

Ivan Rodriguez is back in the lineup after all. He’ll lead off against Jorge De La Rosa before Leyland rests him Wednesday. That’ll give him back-to-back days off before they go back to work Friday. Omar Infante makes his first start of the season in center field, while Marcus Thames starts at first as Leyland tries to give De La Rosa a different look.

1. Rodriguez, C
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Sheffield, DH
4. Ordonez, RF
5. Guillen, SS
6. Monroe, LF
7. Thames, 1B
8. Infante, CF
9. Perez, 3B

Inge isn’t available because he’s battling the flu, making him the latest victim of whatever’s going around the clubhouse. Meanwhile, the bullpen is at least two arms short tonight with Jose Mesa suffering a right groin strain and Joel Zumaya on rest after back-to-back outings.