Tigers manager Jim Leyland has indicated to MLB.com’s Jason Beck that outfielder Magglio Ordonez is probably done for the season.
“I think this year is pretty much lost for him, unfortunately,” manager Jim Leyland said.
According to Beck Ordonez had a follow-up exam with team physician Dr. Stephen Lemos Friday, and has a visit scheduled with foot and ankle specialist Dr. Philip Kwong at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles on Tuesday. There’s also a possibility for surgery if Dr. Kwong feels Ordonez’s right ankle is at risk of not healing properly, head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said Saturday.
Ordonez fractured his ankle four weeks ago today during an awkward slide into home plate. The original prognosis called for Ordonez to remain sidelined for six to eight weeks. He is out of a cast now but is still getting around on crutches.
Asked if there was enough season left to get much out of Magglio, Leyland said, “I would say the answer to that is doubtful. I had a nice conversation with him yesterday. Things change fast in the injury business, so I don’t really want to say for sure, but I think it might be unlikely that he plays the rest of this year.”
So what happens with Magglio now? He will not meet the required at bats to trigger the $15 million dollar option for next season so the Tigers can now decline it, which they more then likely will. Even if the Tigers decline the option I can certainly see them going out and offering him a one year contract for $7-$8 million dollars with an option for a second as well as incentives. This certainly would be a nice gesture to a player that has really made a big impact on this team and the community. If the Tigers don’t offer him a contract you can sure bet that he would get a similar contract offer from other teams, most likely in the AL so they can also utilize him as a DH.