Being a left-handed hitter with power is a big plus for Larish because nobody else on Detroit's bench provides that. His ability to play the corner infield positions and now the corner outfield spots is also in his favor.

But the biggest factor working against the Arizona State product is that he can't play center field. Leyland needs someone on his roster with the ability to spill Curtis Granderson on occasion.

Outfielder Brent Clevlen, who is out of options, fills that need -- but he bats right-handed.

Outfielder Clete Thomas can play all the outfield positions and bats left-handed, but he's coming off Tommy John surgery and had been kept out of the outfield through March 20.

Detroit hopes to get him in the outfield in the next week, but his arm will be questionable for another month or so.

One option available to Leyland that the manager has shot down is to let third baseman Brandon Inge serve as the backup to Granderson, which he did on a handful of occasions last season.

But last year Inge was a man without a regular position, whereas now he's the regular third baseman.

Infielder Ramon Santiago might be able to play center field in a pinch, but he has no experience at the position.

General manager Dave Dombrowski said recently that Granderson's backup is already on the roster in the event Larish makes the team.

"We have a plan for that," Dombrowski said. "But we are not releasing that at this time."

Said Larish: "I'm very grateful for playing different positions in college," Larish said. "That prepared me for what I'm going through now."

Larish played third base his freshman season, first base when he was a sophomore, left and right fields as a junior and was back at first during his senior season.

"However I can help my team, I'm going to do it," he said. "Look at the way Carlos Guillen has moved around, and he hasn't complained about it."

It remains likely Raburn will edge out Larish simply because he has no minor league options remaining while Larish does.

But Leyland keeps talking up Raburn as the ideal National League player because of his versatility, so a late spring deal isn't out of the question.

It would seem Larish's time is coming. It's only a matter of when.