President/GM Dave Dombrowski said they had a few calls today and had some talks that progressed, but nothing was really close. He doesn't expect any of those talks to progress into August, either, because those players involved would likely be claimed on waivers if a team tried to sneak them through. In short, they're probably heading down the stretch with the team you see right now, depending on the extent of Todd Jones' injury (no MRI results yet).

Sorry so late on the lineups, but it's been a quick turnaround from last night. As you might've heard by now, Todd Jones is on the DL with what the team is calling inflammation in his shoulder for the time being. He's undergoing an MRI exam in Cleveland right about now, so the team should have a better idea how long he'll be out by tomorrow.

Clay Rapada was recalled from Triple-A Toledo and made the quick drive over this morning, arriving about an hour before game time, but he'll only be here for a day. He'll be optioned back out to make room on the roster for Kyle Farnsworth, who will join the team Friday at Tampa Bay.

At this point, Rapada is one of few relief arms they have who can give multiple innings. Aside from him, Joel Zumaya is the closer today and Aquilino Lopez is available in an emergency. After that, well, Kenny Rogers and Armando Galarraga are available.

Here are the lineups:

TIGERS (55-52)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Santiago, 2B (schedule day off for Polanco)
   
3. Guillen, 3B
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Joyce, RF
6. Thames, DH
7. Renteria, SS
8. Raburn, LF
9. Sardinha, C (no way Leyland was catching Inge today)

INDIANS (46-60)

1. Grady Sizemore, DH
2. Franklin Gutierrez, CF (5-for-13 off Verlander)
3. Ben Francisco, LF
4. Jhonny Peralta, SS
5. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
6. Andy Marte, 3B
7. Ryan Garko, 1B
8. Sal Fasano, C
9. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B

Apparently Todd Jones has been feeling some discomfort in his shoulder for the past six weeks, but Wednesday was the night in which it became a significant enough issue to shelve him. He couldn't loosen it up in his warmup tosses and had to stop, he said, and he couldn't get extension on his arm when he pitched. He'll get an MRI Thursday or Friday, and Jim Leyland said it's a "strong possibility" they'll make a move to get another reliever (not Farnsworth, he won't join the team until Friday) and likely put Jones on the DL.

Speaking of Leyland, he has hit by a foul ball on the side of his face during the game. The ball took a funny bounce and smacked him, but he kept on managing without medical attention.

Sorry for no postings on the heels of the Pudge trade, but it was basically a waiting game to get into the clubhouse while the trade went down. Look for plenty about the trade on the site tonight. As for the game, here are lineups to get you going:

TIGERS (54-52)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Thames, LF
4. Ordonez, RF
5. Cabrera, 1B
6. Sheffield, DH
7. Renteria, SS
8. Inge, C
9. Raburn, 3B

INDIANS (46-59)

1. Grady Sizemore, CF
2. Franklin Gutierrez, RF
3. Ben Francisco, DH
4. Jhonny Peralta, SS
5. Shin-Soo Choo, LF
6. Kelly Shoppach, C
7. Andy Marte, 3B
8. Ryan Garko, 1B
9. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B
   

Brandon Inge is catching in place of Ivan Rodriguez, who will also have Thursday off according to manager Jim Leyland's schedule. That would seemingly reinforce the notion that Pudge is not in play; otherwise he would probably be showcased.

No other changes on the Tigers side aside from Matt Joyce getting the expected start. The Indians lined up three left-handed batters and a switch-hitter to go up against Galarraga, who is now giving up a .273 average and .818 OPS from the left side compared with .141 and .461 against right-handed hitters.

Joel Zumaya is feeling good and ready to work tonight. He wanted to get in the game last night, but Paul Byrd took care of that. Fernando Rodney is available if needed, but Jim Leyland said again that he would like to give him another day of rest if he can.

Quite a few scouts here tonight, to keep in mind, this is also the home of the retooling Indians. Dave Dombrowski and the front office are not holed up, instead going about business as usual.

TIGERS (53-52)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Guillen, 3B
4. Ordonez, RF
5. Cabrera, 1B
6. Joyce, LF
7. Sheffield, DH
8. Renteria, SS
9. Inge, C

INDIANS (46-58)

1. Grady Sizemore, CF
2. David Dellucci, DH
3. Ben Francisco, LF
4. Jhonny Peralta, SS
5. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
6. Kelly Shoppach, C
7. Andy Marte, 3B
8. Ryan Garko, 1B
9. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B

I usually don't pose questions on here, but one stuck out in my mind ...

Paul Byrd is now 10-2 with a 3.33 ERA lifetime against the Tigers. Paul Byrd is a free agent at season's end. The Tigers could have at least one rotation opening depending on what Kenny Rogers decides to do, and they probably won't have much payroll room. Would you even consider giving Byrd a look this offseason, if for no other reason than to get him off of Tiger hitters?

It's not a serious question, but just a reaction to a bizarre situation. Because it's now at the point that Byrd has struggled against a lot of teams this season, but continues to pitch the Tigers well.

That means your closer for tonight is Todd Jones. Awkward, no?

Zumaya's triceps injury is still being treated as tightness. The training staff used electrotherapy on it to try to loosen up the triceps, and now it's a matter of resting it. He remains day-to-day. Manager Jim Leyland said he hopes to have Rodney back on Tuesday.

Not much change in the lineup. Gary Sheffield, 6-for-31 lifetime against Paul Byrd, is out. Matt Joyce, 2-for-3 off Byrd from last month, is back in. So is Marcus Thames, who has an interesting line off Byrd: 2-for-9, two homers, four strikeouts.

As expected, much of the Tigers front office is here in Cleveland with the team. Many of them are down on the field for batting practice rather than holed up, so it seems the trade talks are relatively quiet for now.

TIGERS (53-51)

1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Carlos Guillen, 3B
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
6. Matt Joyce, LF
7. Marcus Thames, DH
8. Ivan Rodriguez, C
9. Edgar Renteria, SS

INDIANS (45-58)

1. Grady Sizemore, CF (6-for-32 lifetime vs. Rogers)
   
2. Franklin Gutierrez, RF
3. Ben Francisco, LF
4. Jhonny Peralta, SS
5. Kelly Shoppach, C
6. Andy Marte, 3B
7. Ryan Garko, 1B
8. Andy Gonzalez, DH
9. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B

He hit .464 with three doubles and 13 RBIs, including his 5-for-6, three-double, six-RBI performance in last Monday's rout of the Royals. He's a two-time winner this season. Magglio Ordonez and Matt Joyce have both won it once.

No transactions so far, so the Tigers might have Zumaya and/or Rodney available tonight. We'll find out in a little bit when the clubhouse opens to the media.

He left the game with tightness in his right triceps. He's day-to-day.

Marcus Thames gets a second straight start in LF as he tries to work out of his 0-for-7 slump. Other than that, it's a pretty standard lineup against a pitcher who has had the Tigers' number the last couple years. Vazquez lost his last start here on June 11 with five earned runs in six innings, but he's 4-1 with a 3.28 ERA over his last five meetings with the Tigers.

TIGERS (52-51)

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

WHITE SOX (59-43)

1. Orlando Cabrera, SS
2. A.J. Pierzynski, C
3. Carlos Quentin, LF
4. Jermaine Dye, RF
5. Jim Thome, DH
6. Paul Konerko, 1B
7. Nick Swisher, CF
8. Alexei Ramirez, 2B
9. Juan Uribe, 3B

He gave up three earned runs on four hits over 4 1/3 innings with three walks and three strikeouts. He threw 37 of his 73 pitches for strikes. Here's the story on the site.

Our MLB.com reporter covering the game, Brittany Ghiroli, was told by someone in the Lakeland Flying Tigers front office that no one would be available for postgame comment and was initially kept out of the clubhouse. Willis eventually talked on his own against those orders, not that anyone in the minors should be trying to tell him what to do in the first place.

Curtis Granderson is 0-for-6 lifetime against White Sox left-hander John Danks, but he's leading off Saturday nonetheless. At this point, manager Jim Leyland said, Granderson is the everyday leadoff hitter, regardless of the opposing starter. His improvement against left-handed pitching has been notable.

Danks does mean, however, that Marcus Thames is back in the lineup after having the last three games off. Matt Joyce sits.

TIGERS (52-50)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Guillen, 3B
4. Ordonez, RF
5. Cabrera, 1B
6. Sheffield, DH
7. Thames, LF
8. Renteria, SS
9. Inge, C

WHITE SOX (58-43)

1. Orlando Cabrera, SS
2. A.J. Pierzynski, C
3. Carlos Quentin, LF
4. Jermaine Dye, RF
5. Jim Thome, DH
6. Nick Swisher, 1B
7. Alexei Ramirez, 2B
8. Dewayne Wise, CF (former Toledo Mud Hen)
9. Josh Fields, 3B

Somebody asked whether Carlos Guillen's wife was still in the hospital. The good news from Carlos is that she was able to go home today.

Freddy Dolsi played catch on Thursday with head athletic trainer Kevin Rand and threw a side session this afternoon and says he feels fine. Asked whether Dolsi is available tonight, manager Jim Leyland said, "I would hope so."

That gives the Tigers a full bullpen going into tonight's game, and with Verlander going tomorrow.

The lineup is pretty standard tonight. We'll see if the Tigers can hit Gavin Floyd this time around. Josh Fields will be playing third this weekend for the White Sox in place of Joe Crede, who was placed on the DL today.

TIGERS (52-49)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Guillen, 3B
4. Ordonez, RF
5. Cabrera, 1B
6. Joyce, LF
7. Sheffield, DH
8. Rodriguez, C
9. Renteria, SS

WHITE SOX (57-43)

1. Orlando Cabrera, SS
2. A.J. Pierzynski, C
3. Carlos Quentin, LF
4. Jermaine Dye, RF
5. Jim Thome, DH
6. Paul Konerko, 1B
7. Nick Swisher, CF
8. Josh Fields, 3B
9. Alexei Ramirez, 2B
   

It's that time of year when manager Jim Leyland gets asked about potential trades and whether he's worrying ahead of the deadline. Leyland was ready for it on Friday.

"To my knowledge, there's absolutely nothing going on as we speak. Nothing," said Leyland, who added that Dave Dombrowski would tell him if something was going on.

Dombrowski said Thursday that how the Tigers fare against the White Sox will "probably not" affect what the Tigers do on the market leading up to the deadline.

To the readers and commenters who have frequented the blog this season and made it their place to vent this season. I knew there were a lot of you, a lot more than in years past, but now there's some proof. According to the folks that track these things, you guys made this blog sixth out of all MLBlogs in terms of page views over the past seven days.

UN-believable. And this was a week in which we didn't have much news over the All-Star break, the link to the blog was mistakenly pushed out of the headlines on the team site one day, and I was off for the past few days while the Tigers dismantled the Royals (maybe I should've worked after all).

As someone who remembers when this blog barely drew flies two years ago, all I can say is that you all have made this blog what it is, not me. I've tried to live up to what I said heading into the season, that I would blog more often, but for many of you, coming back day after day is what makes this thing work. Otherwise, let's be honest, that old Catholic guilt to post more often might not kick in as often as it does. In any case, thanks for letting me be a part of this.

The overall top 10 blog list is at the bottom of the link above. The top 25 list at the top is for fan blogs. Congratulations, folks.

The Tigers made the Zach Miner roster move after the game. Jeff Larish was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to make room for Miner.

I'm not on the series at Kansas City, so probably no game blogs. I'll try to chime in with an update or two over the next few days before I'm back on for the White Sox series next weekend.

He arrived the ballpark straight from the airport just before noon or so. His wife is still in the hospital, he said, but she's stable, and they're hoping she'll be able to go home tonight.

Inge gets the start at third in what is a different-looking infield for the getaway day. Ryan Raburn gives Placido Polanco a game off at second base, and Ramon Santiago does the same for a hobbled Edgar Renteria at short. Ivan Rodriguez moves up to the second spot.

TIGERS (48-49)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Rodriguez, C (6-for-17 in the two hole this year)
   
3. Sheffield, DH
4. Ordonez, RF
5. Cabrera, 1B
6. Thames, LF
7. Inge, 3B
8. Raburn, 2B
9. Santiago, SS

ORIOLES (47-49)

1. Brian Roberts, 2B
2. Nick Markakis, RF
3. Melvin Mora, 3B
4. Aubrey Huff, 1B
5. Kevin Millar, DH
6. Luke Scott, LF
7. Jay Payton, CF
8. Guillermo Quiroz, C
9. Juan Castro, SS
   

To quote manager Jim Leyland today, "Larish is at third. And that's the end of that conversation."

Larish played in three games at third at Triple-A Toledo after the Tigers sent him down last month. He's playing tonight in place of Carlos Guillen, whose wife remains hospitalized in Detroit. However, this also might be Leyland's one chance to get Larish a start before the Tigers have to make room on the roster for Zach Miner on Monday -- likely at Larish's expense.

TIGERS (48-48)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Sheffield, DH
4. Ordonez, RF
5. Cabrera, 1B
6. Joyce, LF
7. Larish, 3B
8. Renteria, SS
9. Inge, C

ORIOLES (46-49)

1. Brian Roberts, 2B
2. Nick Markakis, RF
3. Melvin Mora, 3B
4. Aubrey Huff, DH
5. Kevin Millar, 1B
6. Luke Scott, LF
7. Adam Jones, CF
8. Ramon Hernandez, C
9. Brandon Fahey, SS

For anyone thinking Freddy Garcia can be a key addition for a late-season charge for the Tigers -- or any other team, for that matter -- the recent lack of news as well as comments from his former manager and current close friend, Ozzie Guillen, are dampening that idea. Guillen supposedly visited with Garcia in Florida over the All-Star break. Asked if he thinks Garcia can be ready for an August or September return after undergoing labrum surgery last year, he said (from Scott Merkin's article on MLB.com):

"I doubt it. I hope he is. He's my friend," Guillen said. "But when I see him and where he's at right now, I don't see that happening. I don't think by August, maybe September. Freddy hasn't even thrown off the mound yet.

"He's throwing flat and he's throwing good and he said his velocity is coming around. Everything is fine, but people think because you play catch, you are pitching. That's not the same. You don't have people on the mound or hitting. I hope he do it, but it's going to be a little bit difficult for him to do it."

Guillen added how he hopes Garcia doesn't rush himself back.

Garcia's agent, Peter Greenberg, said a few weeks ago that they planned on having him throw for interested teams (including the Tigers) somewhere around July 21-24. That would be next week, but no firm date has leaked out yet.

Bottom line, between the uncertain timetable on Garcia and a trade market that doesn't favor the Tigers whatsoever, I think Detroit needs some effective starts from Zach Miner and the guys they have now if they're going to make a race out of this.

Not only is it really hot here in Baltimore, it's really humid, and there's very little wind to speak of. Being close to the water doesn't help. The Tigers are sending their guys out for batting practice in groups. If it's not your group, you don't need to be outside.

As for the game, Edgar Renteria is back in the starting lineup. He isn't at full strength with his hamstring, but he's close enough to give it go. Leyland said he'll go back to Santiago as a defensive replacement for the later innings if he has to.

Carlos Guillen is not here today. His wife was still hospitalized as of today, but it sounded like she could be released today or tomorrow. Inge is back at third in his place.

All the relievers are available tonight, including Fernando Rodney, thought it might be hard to recognize him. Apparently he decided on the spur of the moment on this hot afternoon to get a haircut -- in fact, get all of it cut. Unofficial team barber Freddy Dolsi did the honors as teammates watched.

TIGERS (48-47)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Joyce, LF
4. Ordonez, RF
5. Cabrera, 1B
6. Thames, DH
7. Rodriguez, C
8. Renteria, SS
9. Inge, 3B

ORIOLES (45-49)

1. Brian Roberts, 2B
2. Adam Jones, CF
3. Nick Markakis, RF
4. Aubrey Huff, DH
5. Kevin Millar, 1B
6. Melvin Mora, 3B
7. Luke Scott, LF
8. Ramon Hernandez, C
9. Brandon Fahey, SS

The good news for Dontrelle Willis was that he didn't walk anybody in his three innings of work for Class A Lakeland Thursday night. The real good news, in fact, was that he threw 26 of 32 pitches for strikes. The flip side is that he allowed a run on four hits.

The article on lakelandledger.com includes a quote from Flying Tigers pitching coach Joe Coleman that gives some insight on what they're trying to do with Dontrelle. From the story:

"Chuck Hernandez and I have been working with Dontrelle to get him to throw the ball to zones rather than trying to hit spots," Lakeland pitching coach Joe Coleman said, referring to his counterpart in Detroit.

"Tonight's outing was a very positive step toward Dontrelle's return to Detroit," said Coleman, who had more good things to say about Reinert.

If your next question is when will Dontrelle pitch again, I don't have an answer for you. The Tigers have been very secretive about Dontrelle's schedule and what they're doing with him, which is what makes Coleman's comments significant.

He left the game after aggravating his left hammy, the same injury that sidelined him before the break. You could see him struggling to get down the line on that double-play ball in the top of the eighth, even a little bit on that second-inning double. It wasn't any particular play that tweaked it, he said, but it simply got worse as the game went on. He hopes to be available tomorrow, but we'll see. If he's still feeling it after resting for a week, that isn't promising.

Quote of the night was Jones on his off-balance throw to first in the ninth: "That might be the luckiest, best play I ever made."

If the O's get the lead, they can go to George Sherrill, who pitched 2 1/3 innings in the All-Star Game Tuesday night but needed just 25 pitches to do it. Just figured it was worth a heads-up.

Bonine will be sent to Toledo to start there on Monday. As recently as this afternoon, Miner was scheduled to start for the Hens on Monday until the Tigers made the change. Leyland didn't want to go into details.

In other news, Carlos Guillen is not available tonight. He's back in Detroit, where his wife underwent surgery to take care of complications she was suffering after giving birth to their daughter a week and a half ago. Supposedly the surgery went well, thank goodness.

TIGERS (47-47)

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

ORIOLES (45-48)

1. Brian Roberts, 2B
2. Adam Jones, CF
3. Nick Markakis, RF
4. Aubrey Huff, DH
5. Kevin Millar, 1B
6. Melvin Mora, 3B
7. Ramon Hernandez, C
8. Jay Payton, LF
9. Brandon Fahey, SS
   

They were among a handful of minor-league veterans among the 23 players named to the Team USA roster today for next month's Summer Games in Beijing. It takes a little bit away from the Tigers' depth down the stretch, obviously -- not to mention the Mud Hens' fortunes -- but it's a big honor for the two and says something about the track record of success that has been put together in Toledo.

He's optioned to make room for Magglio Ordonez, who will be activated from the disabled list tomorrow.

Still no definitive word yet on Monday's starter, though it's expected to be Bonine. The interesting part about the Thomas move, though, is that it leaves Jeff Larish around as the extra bat for the Orioles series. That could also be insurance for a first baseman in case Miguel Cabrera's hip is still bothering him and he needs to DH, but we'll see.

Not only Carlos Guillen not left on the bench, he wasn't even the last batter on the AL bench. He worked Brian Wilson for nine pitches -- not a bad battle for coming in cold off the bench -- before finally chasing the 97 mph heater up and away for the strikeout. Evan Longoria pinch-hit after him against Billy Wagner and provided the game-tying double.

While some of us were talking with Carlos Guillen in the Yankee clubhouse this afternoon before batting practice, Jim Leyland emerged from the clubhouse lounge with a smile on his face. He had just chatted for a half-hour with Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, the catcher Leyland idolized when he was growing up.

Among the stories, Leyland said, was Berra talking about calling a game for the pitchers during his playing career and how they never called for a cutter. They called it a fastball, and it went one way or the other.

"He was good," Leyland said of the storytelling. "We had a good time."

Ironically, AL manager Terry Francona apparently told reporters that one of his highlights of the last few days was hanging out with Leyland.

If you're watching the game tonight on TV or wherever, watch for Leyland coaching third base during the bottom of the third inning. Apparently AL manager Terry Francona wants the coaches, both the ones off of his Boston staff and the other AL managers he brought on, to each get a chance to coach one of the bases, so they'll rotate.

As for Guillen, he supposedly will be the odd man out, the utility guy held back in reserve in case Francona needs to insert somebody late. In this case, his versatility works against him.

Sorry the posts haven't been regular the last few days. Things have been hectic here in NY, and as long as I was here, I wanted to fit in a run in Central Park. That was yesterday. Today, it's all work, including a media session this morning with many of the Hall of Famers in attendance for the ceremonies here, which was pretty cool.

To update you on Eddie Bonine, he left his start for Double-A Erie Monday after taking a drive off of his shin. Supposedly he could've pitched on, but they took him out as a precaution. He's heading back to Toledo, where he's renting, and awaiting his marching orders. Unless something changes all of a sudden, he's expected to start for the Tigers next Monday at Kansas City.

He has been outrighted to Triple-A Toledo.

No, I didn't have the weekend off. I'm covering the all-star festivities the next few days in NY, but I didn't want it to take away from what was a key series for the Tigers, so I didn't blog about it until the Tigers were done.

I didn't get a chance to write about Wilkin Ramirez and what he did Sunday because I had to write the game story for the national site, and frankly, all the good pitching on the World Team ensured that Wilkin was going to be overlooked.

He had a single and a walk. He was on the back end of back-to-back runners picked off by A's prospect Brett Anderson, but he said afterwards that the base coach at the time (they were rotating by inning, so I'm not sure who) kept suggesting he take a bigger and bigger lead until Wilkin decided he was going.

What really surprised me about this game is how much players on the World team were looking forward to playing in Yankee Stadium. Ramirez said afterwards that it was a huge dream of his. In the Dominican, he said, the Yankees and Red Sox get so much of a following (big surprise, I know) that Yankee Stadium is a hallowed ground. Some of the pitchers had similar feelings, including Carlos Carrasco.

This is the fourth time in five years that I've covered the Futures Game, and I have to admit, it might be my favorite part of the festivities. It's the one on-field event that's really kind of low-key -- not a packed ballpark for fans or media, not many egos to deal with. It's really a nice, well-run event, and it's something you put in the memory banks for a few years down the road, when some of these guys emerge in the big leagues. That could be sooner for a lot of players this year, because there was a ton of talent from Double-A.

The real scrum comes Monday with the player press conferences, or what I like to consider as baseball's equivalent of Super Bowl Media Day -- all the players gathered at tables, and way too much media to get anything in edgewise. We'll see how it goes.

Todd Jones is still the closer, but he's not going to be the overtaxed closer.

"I'm gonna watch him closely," Leyland said Friday, "maybe use somebody else from time to time."

That doesn't mean he's out, or even that he's sharing the closer's job. But one theory Leyland came up with for Jones struggling was the fact that he pitched a day game after a night game.

Leyland didn't say exactly who he would go to for tonight, but said most nights it would probably be Rodney or Zumaya. Both are available tonight, as is everybody but Jones and possibly Casey Fossum.

In other news, Edgar Renteria gets another day off, though he said his left hamstring feels "a lot better." Leyland hopes to play him Saturday and Sunday to try to get him some momentum at the plate going into the break.

TIGERS (46-45)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Guillen, 3B
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Thames, LF
6. Sheffield, DH
7. Joyce, RF
8. Rodriguez, C
9. Santiago, SS

TWINS (51-41)

1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Brian Buscher, 3B
8. Nick Punto, SS
9. Denard Span, RF
   

OK, it's not a straight switch, but it's the highlights of the lineup today. Leyland said he expects Renteria back on Friday after strained his left hammy Wednesday night. Larish, meanwhile, gets the start at first base, giving Miguel Cabrera and his sore left hip flexor a day at DH.

TIGERS (46-44)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Guillen, 3B
4. Cabrera, DH
5. Joyce, RF
6. Thames, LF
7. Larish, 1B
8. Rodriguez, C
9. Santiago, SS

TWINS (50-41)

1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Alexei Casilla, 2B
3. Mike Redmond, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Craig Monroe, DH
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Brendan Harris, 3B
8. Nick Punto, SS
9. Denard Span, RF

 

He left with what the team is calling a mild strain of his left hamstring. He's day-to-day.

No, Polanco is not off to celebrate his new U.S. citizenship. Leyland said last night he wanted to give them a day off after they played all 15 innings of that Sunday marathon. Thus, Ramon Santiago and Dane Sardinha get the starts and bat around the bottom of the order. Interestingly, Clete Thomas moved up to the second spot in Polanco's place, giving Detroit three straight left-handed hitters to start off against Indians starter Paul Byrd.

For Sardinha, it might be his final game before being sent down. Brandon Inge is scheduled to catch four innings and play third base for the other five tonight for Triple-A Toledo. If he feels fine after that game, Leyland said, he could be activated on Thursday.

Over in the other dugout, the Indians filled CC Sabathia's spot on the roster by calling up Juan Rincon from Triple-A Buffalo.

TIGERS (45-44)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Thomas, LF
3. Guillen, 3B
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Joyce, RF
6. Sheffield, DH
7. Renteria, SS
8. Santiago, 2B
9. Sardinha, C

INDIANS (37-52)

1. Grady Sizemore, CF
2. Jamey Carroll, 2B
3. Ben Francisco, LF
4. Jhonny Peralta, SS
5. Casey Blake, 1B
6. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
7. Ryan Garko, DH
8. Andy Marte, 3B
9. Sal Fasano, C

 

Make a sandwich, maybe grill another burger (doubtful in this weather), but you have five extra minutes to spend before this game starts. They just took the tarp off the field, so they're going to need a few extra minutes to clean it up and let the players warm up.

As expected, Carlos Guillen is out today. His wife gave birth to daughter Camelia yesterday here in Detroit. He'll likely be back on Wednesday.

TIGERS (44-44)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Thames, LF
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Sheffield, DH
6. Rodriguez, C
7. Renteria, SS
8. Thomas, RF
9. Raburn, 3B

INDIANS (37-51)

1. Grady Sizemore, CF
2. Jamey Carroll, 2B
3. Casey Blake, 3B
4. Jhonny Peralta, SS
5. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
6. Kelly Shoppach, C
7. David Dellucci, DH
8. Ryan Garko, 1B
9. Franklin Gutierrez, LF
   

According to Seattle manager Jim Riggleman, Rhodes slept on his left arm wrong and wasn't feeling right. He tried to warm up during the game and loosen it into pitching shape, but it wasn't happening. That's how you end up with a backup catcher on the mound in the 15th inning.

By now, I'm assuming you know that Carlos Guillen is the Tigers' all-star.

In other tidbits, the Tigers sent Brandon Inge out on rehab. He'll be with Triple-A Toledo starting on Monday. Ramon Santiago, meanwhile, is expected to rejoin the Tigers as soon as Tuesday unless something happens healthwise in the next couple games.

TIGERS (43-44)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Guillen, 3B
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Thames, DH
6. Rodriguez, C
7. Renteria, SS
8. Thomas, LF
9. Raburn, RF

MARINERS (35-52)

1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Jose Lopez, 2B
3. Raul Ibanez, LF
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Richie Sexson, DH
6. Miguel Cairo, 1B
   
7. Kenji Johjima, C
8. Willie Bloomquist, CF
9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
   

Forget it. Turns out he's in the lineup tonight after all, and Hollimon is sitting. Leyland said after Friday's game that he would probably play Hollimon, but having the knuckleballer on the mound might have given him some second thoughts. When asked Saturday how much of a factor the pitcher played in the lineup, Leyland pointed to the splits: Opponents are batting .196 against him from the left side and .364 hitting right-handed. That said, Curtis Granderson is leading off.

TIGERS (43-43)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Guillen, 3B
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Thames, LF
6. Sheffield, DH
7. Joyce, RF
8. Renteria, SS
9. Sardinha, C

MARINERS (34-52)

1. Ichiro, RF
2. Jose Lopez, 2B
3. Raul Ibanez, LF
4. Jose Vidro, DH
5. Adrian Beltre, 3B
6. Jeremy Reed, CF
7. Richie Sexson, 1B
8. Jeff Clement, C
9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
   

UPDATE @ 6:30pm ET: It's official now. Justin Verlander's next start has been moved up from Wednesday to Tuesday, essentially using the off-day to flip spots with Eddie Bonine. It's a small move that could be big from a competitive standpoint. Plus, well, if you have tickets to Tuesday's game against Cleveland, it's good news for you, since you could see Verlander match up against C.C. Sabathia. It's also good news if you have tickets for next Sunday, since he'd get that start out of this deal, too.

Leyland said the other day that's not the reason he was considering it, but he doesn't have to point out that there's a benefit in that. There's an advantage from the Tigers' standpoint, too, in keeping Verlander on schedule to pitch every fifth day rather than having him store up extra rest and bring too much energy out to the mound, especially the way he's been battling his command lately.

Actually, you can see it a little bit in the stats. Verlander has basically split his 18 starts (except for opening day, of course) between five and four days of rest. He's 3-3 with a 4.09 ERA and .713 opposing OPS in eight starts on four days' rest, and 2-6 with a 4.40 ERA and a .680 OPS with five days' rest. Smaller picture, his two starts before last -- when he topped 110 pitches without getting out of the sixth -- both came with the extra day of rest.

Jim Leyland wanted to give Edgar Renteria a shot in the third spot with Carlos Guillen off, so Curtis Granderson gets to lead off against lefty Erik Bedard today.

Oh, and happy Fourth of July. Hopefully you're somewhere with a chance to enjoy the holiday. Here in Seattle, the day game gives us a chance to catch the celebrations.

TIGERS (43-42)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Renteria, SS
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Thames, LF
6. Sheffield, DH
7. Rodriguez, C
8. Thomas, RF
9. Raburn, 3B

MARINERS (33-52)

1. Ichiro, RF
2. Jose Lopez, 2B
3. Raul Ibanez, LF
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Richie Sexson, 1B
6. Kenji Johjima, DH
7. Jamie Burke, C
8. Willie Bloomquist, CF
9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
   

It's possible, just not soon.

When Jim Leyland was asked before Thursday's game about whether there was any chance they would convert Zumaya back into a starter again someday, Leyland gave a surprising answer.

"It's possible," Leyland said, "but it would be down the road. I'm not sure about that yet. I've been thinking about that, to be honest with you. That's not something I would do right now necessarily."

Most of you probably remember the decision the Tigers made two years ago, when Leyland decided to keep Zumaya on the Opening Day roster and not only use him out of the bullpen, but use him in big situations. Zumaya had come up through the minors as a starter. That, of course, was the start of a budding rookie season before injuries have limited him since.

Leyland did not want to discuss it much more than that.

"I'm not going to get into that because it's down the road," Leyland said. "I'm just thinking. I've thought about it. I've thought about all these scenarios with him."

On a related note, Leyland said that Zach Miner will not be used as a starter unless they were in a case of dire need. Miner will be in the rotation at Triple-A Toledo after being optioned from Detroit on Wednesday, but Leyland insisted the sole purpose was to get him to work on throwing all of his pitches rather than getting power-happy with the fastball.

So am I, but that's not really news so much as it's the work schedule.

The lineups should be interesting this weekend because of the game times this series -- essentially alternating night games and day games for four days. Jim Leyland knew he wanted to play Hollimon once during this night game-day game set, and he decided on tonight against the right-handed Carlos Silva rather than Friday against Erik Bedard. Look for Dane Sardinha to catch at least once, possibly twice this weekend, but not tonight.

TIGERS (42-42)

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Guillen, 3B
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Joyce, RF
6. Sheffield, DH
7. Thomas, LF
8. Rodriguez, C
9. Hollimon, SS

MARINERS (33-51)

1. Ichiro, RF
2. Jose Lopez, 2B
3. Raul Ibanez, LF
4. Jose Vidro, DH
5. Adrian Beltre, 3B (four games against Detroit could push him over 20 HRs)
   
6. Jeremy Reed, CF
7. Richie Sexson, 1B
8. Jeff Clement, C
9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS

It's an award that goes each month, according to the press release, to recognize "the player who consistently performed his best when the game was on the line" in a given this month -- in this case, June. Marcus Thames is one of six nominees along with Jose Guillen, Jason Giambi, Dan Haren, John Lackey and Aramis Ramirez. The voting site is pepsiclutch.mlb.com. Voting runs through next Wednesday.