--2B Placido Polanco didn't play Sunday for the second time in three games. IF Ramon Santiago replaced him as Polanco, who had three hits Saturday after a night off, has been struggling at the plate for a week. He should be back in the lineup after Monday's day off.
--IF Ramon Santiago started at second base for the second time in three games Sunday and once again manager Jim Leyland's insertion of his backup middle infielder paid off. Santiago had an RBI triple and a three-home run his first two times up to boost his RBI total for the season to 19, one more than last year and just 10 shy of his career high (2003). He singled his next two times up in a bid for the cycle. --C Dane Sardinha missed three straight games after spraining his right ring finger in Minnesota. He said the finger was still "very stiff and pretty sore" but not bad enough to land him on the disabled list. "It was pretty swelled up and black and blue, it was ugly," Manager Jim Leyland said. "They were worried that there was a crack there but they think it might be an old crack. He looks like he's all right. He might be sore for a couple days."
MEDICAL WATCH:
C Dane Sardinha (sore right ring finger) left the May 14 game, and he didn't play May 15-17. He is day-to-day.
LHP Nate Robertson (strained lower back) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 6.
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 was activated to start for Detroit on May 13.
LF/DH Carlos Guillen (left shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list May 5.
DH/OF Marcus Thames (left ribcage muscle strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 19. 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 began a rehab assignment with Class A West Michigan on May 16.
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.
ROTATION:
RHP Justin Verlander
RHP Edwin Jackson
RHP Armando Galarraga
RHP Rick Porcello
LHP Dontrelle Willis
BULLPEN:
RHP Fernando Rodney (closer)
RHP Joel Zumaya
RHP Brandon Lyon
LHP Bobby Seay
RHP Ryan Perry
RHP Zach Miner
LHP Luke French
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
