--RF Magglio Ordonez got two hits Sunday, including just his third extra-base hit of the season, after getting his first game of the season off Saturday night. Ordonez is tweaking his mechanics in an effort to end his two-week slump. Prior to Sunday's two-hit game Ordonez was hitting .135 in his previous 14 games. He grounded a double down the third-base line his first time up, in the second inning, and plopped a single into center field in the sixth. Before the double, the only two extra-base hits Ordonez had all season were home runs. Hitting coach Lloyd McClendon is working with Ordonez to make an adjustment in where he holds his hands as he sets up for hitting. "I'm holding my hands a little farther from my body," Ordonez said.
--RHP Zach Miner warmed up in Detroit's bullpen during the fourth inning Sunday and entered the game in the sixth, marking the fact he has been removed from the Tigers' rotation to make room for LHP Dontrelle Willis. Miner would have started Monday but for the fact Detroit was not scheduled to play. Miner worked a scoreless seventh, allowing a pair of singles. --LF Clete Thomas has been cutting into OF Josh Anderson's playing time since he was brought up to Detroit a week ago. Thomas was spotted into the three spot in manager Jim Leyland's batting order when he arrived and he's stayed right there even though the Tigers have faced two lefties. Thomas gives Detroit a little more power than Anderson, who hits either at the top or bottom of the batting order. He played left field Sunday after giving RF Magglio Ordonez a couple days off from right-field duty.
--RHP Fernando Rodney worked his second straight non-save ninth inning Sunday. It looks as though Rodney is tinkering with his mechanics again because manager Jim Leyland prefers not to use closers when the game is not on the line. Rodney walked two batters in a scoreless ninth Saturday night and walks were a problem for him last year. He was one strike from a scoreless ninth when he walked CF Grady Sizemore, then gave up an RBI double, a run-producing wild pitch and a second walk before closing out the game with a pop fly to right.
MEDICAL WATCH:
LHP Dontrelle Willis (anxiety disorder) went on the 15-day disabled list March 29. The disorder was diagnosed through blood tests. He made a rehab start for Class A Lakeland on April 21, and he started for Class AA Erie on April 26. He pitched for Class AAA Toledo on May 1 and May 6, and he will be activated to start for Detroit on May 12.
LF/DH Carlos Guillen (left shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list May 5.
C Matt Treanor (torn labrum in right hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 24. He had surgery April 30, and is likely out for the season.
DH/OF Marcus Thames (left ribcage muscle strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 19. He won't begin any physical activity for two to four weeks, and he will need a rehab assignment before returning to the Tigers.
RHP Jeremy Bonderman (right rib removal, blood clot surgery in June 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 30. He might begin a rehab assignment in mid-May.
ROTATION:
RHP Justin Verlander
RHP Edwin Jackson
RHP Armando Galarraga
RHP Rick Porcello
BULLPEN:
RHP Fernando Rodney (closer)
RHP Joel Zumaya
RHP Brandon Lyon
LHP Bobby Seay
RHP Juan Rincon
LHP Nate Robertson
RHP Ryan Perry
RHP Zach Miner
CATCHERS:
Gerald Laird
Dane Sardinha
INFIELDERS:
1B Miguel Cabrera
2B Placido Polanco
SS Adam Everett
3B Brandon Inge
INF Jeff Larish
INF Ramon Santiago
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Josh Anderson
CF Curtis Granderson
RF Magglio Ordonez
DH Clete Thomas
OF Ryan Raburn
