The decision to add rookie RHPs Rick Porcello and Ryan Perry to the opening-day roster looked like a sound one through the first week of the season. Porcello looked way more poised than your typical 20-year-old with one year of pro ball experience and Perry throws easy mid-90s fastballs teamed with a wicked slider. Both have a chance to have a major impact before the season is over, Porcello as a stabilizing factor in a rotation that was constantly under siege last year and Perry as part of a bullpen remake whose effectiveness is still under construction.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Rick Porcello won't be making his Comerica Park debut for another couple of weeks. His scheduled start at Detroit was washed out by rain, and he was pushed back to Sunday in the rotation. The Tigers need only four starters until April 25, and one of them will be Porcello.
--RHP Zach Miner will go to the Tigers' bullpen because the Tigers need only four starters until April 25. Miner was roughed up for eight runs and nine hits Monday in a 10-6 Detroit loss to the Chicago White Sox. Manager Jim Leyland decided to keep rookie Rick Porcello in the rotation, although he will be pushed back to Sunday and have Miner pitch in relief for the time being.
--C Gerald Laird will return to Detroit's starting lineup Wednesday after missing a game because of an apparent case of flu. "I think it's one of those 24-hour flu bugs," manager Jim Leyland said. Laird did not play Monday, and Tuesday's game was rained out. He probably would have sat out one of the three games even if healthy and if all three had been played, under Leyland's policy of trying to keep his regulars fresh.
MEDICAL WATCH:
C Gerald Laird (illness) was scratched from the lineup April 13. His status for April 14 was uncertain.
LF Carlos Guillen (strained right Achilles tendon) left the April 12 game. He served as the Tigers' DH on April 13.
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 began a rehab assignment with Class A Lakeland on April 11, and he will stay in the minors 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 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 30. He won't return until he nudges his fastball back up 90 mph on a consistent basis.
ROTATION:
RHP Justin Verlander
RHP Edwin Jackson
RHP Armando Galarraga
RHP Rick Porcello
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
CATCHERS:
Gerald Laird
Matt Treanor
INFIELDERS:
1B Miguel Cabrera
2B Placido Polanco
SS Adam Everett
3B Brandon Inge
INF Ramon Santiago
INF Jeff Larish
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Carlos Guillen
CF Curtis Granderson
RF Magglio Ordonez
DH Marcus Thames
OF Josh Anderson
