Felix Hernandez was originally expected to return from the disabled list Friday against the Yankees. The Mariners pushed him back today, and he’s now scheduled to start next Wednesday at Comerica Park. He would’ve been on schedule to start in Detroit anyway, but given his elbow, it’s not easy to assume a second start for him if things don’t go well or he feels more elbow soreness. The fact that this would be a return for him, rather than a second start, adds a pretty intriguing element to that series next week.

In case you’re wondering, the last time Hernandez pitched in Detroit was his Major League debut on Aug. 5, 2005. He had that much-hyped pitching matchup against Justin Verlander last year in Seattle. If he goes next Wednesday, he’d pitch opposite Chad Durbin.

Omar Infante starts at short in place of Carlos Guillen. Here’s the lineup:

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

Jose Mesa’s supposedly feeling fine after his rehab outing Tuesday, so he’s expected to be activated from the disabled list on Friday. As for the rotation, Chad Durbin will not be skipped next week with two off-days coming up, but he’ll be flip-flopped with Nate Robertson. Thus, Robertson will start Tuesday’s series opener against the Mariners (and next Sunday’s series finale against the Twins), with Durbin pitching Wednesday against Seattle.