This Monday marks the day that Tigers slugger Magglio Ordonez is tentatively suppose to return to the team after spending time on the DL with a sore ankle and rehabbing with the Toledo Mud Hens.
However, the team playing so well right now with their current lineup. Eric Lacy of the Detroit News writes that manager Jim Leyland says that Ordonez is still questionable after experiencing chronic right ankle pain since early May.
“I don’t know,” Leyland said of the 37-year-old slugger’s status. “(Monday) is what the target is. Target date, but I can’t answer that for sure.”
With the amount Ordonez is making this season (1 year at $10 million) the Tigers need him to start swinging the bat and swinging it well. In fact Leyland holds the same expectations that fans, including myself, have for Ordonez.
“It’s simple,” Leyland said bluntly. “He’s gotta hit.”
It is my belief that Magglio will be with the team on Monday. The question after that is who gets sent back down. Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen remain out so you could have to believe that the infielders of Worth, Santiago and Kelly remain safe. In terms of the outfield you’ve got Boesch and Dirks both hitting the ball well and Wells filling in as a late inning defensive replacement. Then you have Raburn who has been playing in the outfield and infield while swinging weak bat. Rayburn is also out of minor league options meaning that the team would have to designate him for assignment if he were to be the odd man out when Ordonez returns. I cannot see the team getting rid of Raburn just yet meaning that Wells will probably be the guy being sent back to Triple-A Toledo.
Source: Detroit News
