--RHP Justin Verlander ran into first-inning trouble with a two-out, bases-empty walk and wound up with his first start of 2009 looking too much like most of his 2008 starts. Verlander threw 35 pitches in allowing four runs in the first and 80 while giving up eight runs in 3 2/3 innings. "He was actually throwing the ball good," manager Jim Leyland said. "He lost it out there at the end. He was just rearing back and throwing it, so I took him out before he got hurt."

--OF Josh Anderson was the starter in left field Monday night in the Tigers' season opener in Toronto as manager Jim Leyland opted not to play DH Marcus Thames against Blue Jays RHP Roy Halladay. Anderson was not a factor in the outcome, going hitless, although he did make a play in the field in the first -- his speed allowing him to get to a ball hit to the wall in left -- that temporarily prevented a run. LF Carlos Guillen served as manager Jim Leyland's DH Monday. Anderson was the ninth-place hitter with Guillen hitting fifth, his usual spot. Anderson will be on the bench against Toronto's left-handed starter Tuesday night.

--DH Marcus Thames sat out Monday night's season opener at Toronto with RHP Roy Halladay starting for the Blue Jays. Thames is expected to be in the lineup against Toronto's lefty starter Tuesday night. He might see action in left field in one game as manager Jim Leyland plans to have LF Carlos Guillen as the DH in two of the four games because of Toronto's artificial turf.

--LHP Nate Robertson isn't in love with coming out of the Tigers' bullpen but took the right approach to getting back in the rotation. He was used in relief Monday night and worked a scoreless, hitless inning with two strikeouts. Two of the hitters he faced were left-handers and he threw just nine pitches, only two of them balls.

--RHP Juan Rincon had a solid spring to make the Tigers' roster after having two consecutive poor seasons. But Monday night's rough outing means he'll be on the watch list, not the place to be with RHP Joel Zumaya due to come back before the end of the month. Rincon struggled with his control and allowed three runs on two hits and two walks in an inning of relief.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Justin Verlander

2. RHP Edwin Jackson

3. RHP Armando Galarraga

4. RHP Rick Porcello

5. RHP Zach Miner

BULLPEN:

RHP Brandon Lyon (closer)

RHP Fernando Rodney

LHP Bobby Seay

RHP Eddie Bonine

RHP Juan Rincon

LHP Nate Robertson

RHP Ryan Perry

LINEUP:

1. CF Curtis Granderson

2. 2B Placido Polanco

3. RF Magglio Ordonez

4. 1B Miguel Cabrera

5. LF Carlos Guillen

6. DH Marcus Thames

7. C Gerald Laird

8. 3B Brandon Inge

9. SS Adam Everett

RESERVES:

C Matt Treanor

INF Jeff Larish

INF Ramon Santiago

OF Josh Anderson

MEDICAL WATCH:

LHP Dontrelle Willis (anxiety disorder) went on the 15-day disabled list March 29. The disorder was diagnosed through blood tests, and there was no timetable for his return. Willis, for his part, didn't understand the diagnosis and said he felt fine.

RHP Joel Zumaya (right shoulder soreness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He will remain in camp to work minor league games until he shows he can pitch back-to-back games successfully.

RHP Jeremy Bonderman (right rib removal, blood clot surgery in June 2008) went on the disabled list retroactive to March 30. He won't return until he nudges his fastball back up 90 mph on a consistent basis.