Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers place Doug Fister on disabled list, will recall rookie left-hander Casey Crosby

Wed, 30 May 2012 19:05:58 UTC

Crosby is scheduled to start Friday night or the Tigers at Comerica Park against the New York Yankees. It will be his major league debut.

AP File PhotoDoug Fister is headed back to the disabled list due to a left side strain.

The Detroit Tigers have placed starting pitcher Doug Fister on the disabled list with a left side strain and will recall left-hander Casey Crosby to take his place on the roster.

Crosby is scheduled to start Friday night for the Tigers at Comerica Park against the New York Yankees. It will be his major league debut.

The stint on the disabled list is retroactive to Tuesday, the day after Fister made his last start.

Fister pitched just 3 2/3 innings in his first start of the season on April 7 before leaving that game with a left costochondral strain. His next start for the Tigers took place exactly a month later in a 3-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners.

Fister struggled in his latest outing, a 7-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox. He allowed six runs on 11 hits and one walk in just five innings pitched.

Fister has suffered from a lack of run support this season and is 0-3 with a 3.15 ERA in six starts.

Crosby seemed to be the longest shot of the six young pitchers who entered spring training competing for the final spot in the Tigers' rotation, which eventually was won by Drew Smyly. Crosby is 4-2 with a 4.26 ERA for Triple-A Toledo this season.

Casey Crosby

The Tigers were impressed with Crosby during spring training.

"His ceiling is, for me -- I'm not talking about (Justin) Verlander or those guys, I'm talking about a lot of the young guys -- I think this guy's ceiling is as high as anybody's," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said in March. "Will it come? I don't know, but he's got a real high ceiling."

Crosby underwent Tommy John surgery in 2007 and missed major portions of the 2008 and 2010 seasons due to injuries.

"This guy could be a really, really good major league pitcher," Leyland said. "He's a little crude yet, obviously, but he's got a lot of equipment. ... He should have a big future."

Rick Porcello had been scheduled to pitch Friday night with Fister set for Saturday. The Tigers instead will go with Crosby on Friday and Porcello on Saturday. Justin Verlander remains scheduled to pitch Sunday afternoon.

Mario Impemba: Quintin Berry not 'the next Mickey Mantle' but he's helped Detroit Tigers

Wed, 30 May 2012 18:00:18 UTC

Impemba, on WBBL-FM, on if the Tigers are panicking: "As they say, when does it become 'it's not early anymore'? I think we're getting there."

AP PhotoDetroit's Quintin Berry has hit safely in six of his first seven games while filling in for Austin Jackson.

Tuesday night's loss to the Boston Red Sox was the first time Quintin Berry did not get a hit during his first seven games with the Detroit Tigers.

Despite that, the fill-in for injured center fielder Austin Jackson has provided a boost to the offense, hitting .310 (9 for 29) with six runs scored and three stolen bases.

But Fox Sports Detroit's Mario Impemba doesn't want Tigers fans getting too excited.

"Quintin's done a great job, but I think we have to be careful about anointing this guy the next Mickey Mantle," Impemba said Wednesday on Bakita and Bentley on WBBL-FM in Grand Rapids.

"He's a great kid, he's really provided this team with a spark. He's kind of stirred it up a little bit offensively. That's something the Tigers really haven't had for a really long time.

"I think this next week will tell us where he fits in the plan. Quintin's going to get more of an extended look, and let's hope he keeps it up."

I don't think many Tigers fans were confusing Berry with the former Yankees switch hitter who clubbed 536 career home runs, but many have been happy with his production atop the lineup.

Berry's extended look will come because Jackson isn't likely to be ready to come off the disabled list as originally expected Friday when the Tigers return home for a series against the Yankees.

Impemba says it makes sense to be cautious with Jackson.

"(Jackson's injury) just hasn't responded to the therapy they've gone through yet," Impemba said. "I think it's going to take a few more days. You don't want to blow out Austin Jackson. You've got to make sure he's ready to go, because he's so vital to the offense."

As for the Tigers (23-26), who are now 4 1/2 games behind the streaking Chicago White Sox, Impemba said the coaching staff aren't feeling the pressure -- yet.

"They all realize they should be performing a lot better than they are," Impemba said. "You don't get a chance to get a day or two mental break. Baseball is every day. We overuse the term 'grind' so much in the game, but it really is.

"As they say, when does it become 'it's not early anymore'? I think we're getting there."

Email Josh Slagter at jslagter@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JoshSlagter

Detroit Tigers summon catcher Omir Santos from Toledo to fill open roster spot

Wed, 30 May 2012 14:24:53 UTC

Santos played 11 games with the Tigers last year and fills the roster spot left by Ryan Raburn's demotion.

Omir Santos

BOSTON – The Detroit Tigers have purchased the contract of catcher Omir Santos from Triple-A Toledo to fill the roster vacancy left by Ryan Raburn.

Santos, 31, played 11 games for the Tigers last year. He has played 118 career major-league games with the Tigers, Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets.

Santos was hitting .310, with eight extra-base hits in 84 at-bats, in 27 games with Toledo.

Raburn was sent to Toledo after the Tigers' loss Tuesday to the Boston Red Sox.

Email David Mayo at dmayo@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo

Detroit Tigers' infield defense costing them outs; can they 'slug their way' to AL Central title?

Wed, 30 May 2012 11:30:13 UTC

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal points out the Tigers have converted the lowest percentage of ground balls into outs in the majors.

AP PhotoPrince Fielder wasn't signed for his defense, and his coming to Detroit shifted Miguel Cabrera over to third base.

It's no secret the Detroit Tigers' infield isn't filled with likely Gold Glove winners, but statistics are starting to emerge that point out just how much the regular lineup is costing them.

And there also seems to be growing visual evidence, too, with double plays not being turned, balls getting through the infield and other plays just not being made.

Fox Sports columnist Ken Rosenthal topped off his column talking about the Tigers' defense Monday, noting Detroit "is below-average at every infield position."

That's Prince Fielder at first base, Miguel Cabrera at third, Johnny Peralta at shortstop and usually either Ryan Raburn or Ramon Santiago at second.

As Rosenthal points out, the Tigers had converted 71 percent of their ground balls into outs (heading into last weekend), the worst rate in the majors, according to Bloomberg Sports. Toronto is first at 83.1 percent.

The American League batting average on balls put in play is .284. When ground ball pitcher Rick Porcello is on the mound for the Tigers, it's .326. Max Scherzer's BABIP is .403.

Rosenthal figures the Tigers will "slug their way to the AL Central title" but also notes Detroit puts a poor defensive team on the field when others are emphasizing it, and that could be costly in the postseason.

The numbers pointed out Rosenthal go along with the defensive efficiency statistic highlighted by ESPN.com's Josh Worn. It measures the percentage of batted balls in play that are converted into outs.

Detroit is 26th in the majors at 69.2 percent.

As Worn points out on ESPN.com, Defensive Runs Saved uses video review to estimate each fielder’s defensive contribution and compares each fielder to the league average for his position.

Here's the Tigers' infield:
1B Prince Fielder: -5 runs (386 innings)
2B Ryan Raburn: -2 runs (162 innings)
2B Ramon Santiago: -1 run (132 innings)
2B Danny Worth: -1 run (60 innings)
2B Brandon Inge: -2 runs (43 innings)
3B Miguel Cabrera: -3 runs (388 innings)
SS Jhonny Peralta: -4 runs (348 innings)
SS Ramon Santiago: -1 run (50 innings)

Nobody in Detroit's infield has had a positive impact defensively so far this season.

Two tough plays happened Tuesday night that cost Justin Verlander a run against the Boston Red Sox, and it could have been worse.

Boston shortstop Mike Aviles hit what appeared to be a routine inning-ending double-play ball in the second, but Santiago and Peralta were unable to turn it in time and David Ortiz scored from third.

On the next batter, Peralta was charged an error on a throw trying to get Scott Posednik.

Fortunately for the Tigers, Verlander limited the damage by striking out Nick Punto, but it was a clear example of how the Tigers' defense has been costly this season.

Email Josh Slagter at jslagter@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JoshSlagter

Who will replace Ryan Raburn on roster for Detroit Tigers is a bit of a mystery

Wed, 30 May 2012 04:55:09 UTC

Justin Henry and Brad Eldred seem like possible candidates, but it's really tough to guess exactly what the Tigers have planned.

AP File PhotoThe Detroit Tigers sent Ryan Raburn to Triple-A Toledo after the game Tuesday night. Who will replace him?

The Detroit Tigers sent Ryan Raburn to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday night and said they will announce a corresponding move Wednesday.

Who will get called up? For now, it's a mystery.

It seems likely that the Tigers will replace Raburn with a position player, but the only position player on the 40-man roster who is not with the Tigers (or on the disabled list) is infielder Hernan Perez, who plays for Single-A Lakeland.

(Avisail Garcia, another Single-A player, is on the 40-man roster but is on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. But he's not ready anyway.)

The Tigers are not recalling Perez, a 21-year-old infielder, for the same reason they wouldn't call up Garcia. That leaves two options: It's either going to be a relief pitcher or a position player who is not on the 40-man roster.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland made it clear who it likely will not be. He told reporters assembled in Boston that the Tigers will not call up a second baseman, so that seems to rule out Eric Patterson. (And, actually, Perez, who we already ruled out.)

Justin Henry plays some second base, but he also plays a lot elsewhere. Does the "no second baseman" comment by Leyland rule him out? I don't think so. With Don Kelly struggling about as much as Ryan Raburn, why not call up a guy who can do it all and see whether he can do it all better than Kelly?

The Tigers have everyday starters at every position but second base, and Leyland said he plans to go with Danny Worth and Ramon Santiago there.

Henry doesn't hit for power, but his numbers with Toledo this season are pretty good. He is hitting .314 (44-for-140) with four doubles, two triples, no home runs and 12 RBIs in 43 games. Henry has nine steals and 23 walks with 14 strikeouts in 43 games. It is worth noting that he has cooled off a bit of late.

Justin Henry

The only other position player at Toledo with numbers that clearly warrant a call-up is Brad Eldred. (Catcher Omir Santos has good numbers, but the Tigers don't need a third catcher who would offer no added flexibility.) It very well could be Eldred, who has shredded Triple-A pitching but struggled a bit in a very brief stint earlier this season with the Tigers.

It seems much less likely that it would be a relief pitcher, and if it is, well, good luck. It would be easy to start pulling random names off of the Toledo roster and speculating that they could be the candidates. It would also be a waste of time. Really, if it's a pitcher, it's anybody's guess who it will be. Take a guess if you choose. I'm not going to press my luck. (I mean, I could say it could be Chris Bootcheck and then, if it turns out to be him, I would look smart. But it would just be a guess, and I promised two or three sentences ago that I wouldn't do that.)

Brad Eldred

So, where does that leave us? Leaning slightly toward Henry. Thinking it could be Eldred. But really not knowing what's next.

And what does this mean for the Tigers when Austin Jackson eventually returns from the disabled list? Is the call-up from this move simply going to be in town for a week or so and then head back to Toledo when Jackson is ready? Or do the Tigers have another move in mind down the road?

Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. The Tigers are going to call up a player Wednesday. Who do you think it will be?

-- Follow Chris Iott on Twitter for updates on the Tigers.

Detroit Tigers' Ryan Raburn demoted to Triple-A Toledo after 6-3 loss to Boston Red Sox

Wed, 30 May 2012 03:55:12 UTC

Justin Verlander struggles through six-inning performance, loses consecutive starts for first time in more than a year.

AP PhotoDetroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander struggled through six innings of Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

BOSTON – Justin Verlander struggled once but Ryan Raburn has struggled all season. So on a night when Verlander suffered his worst outing of the season, the bigger news was Raburn's demotion to Triple-A Toledo.

Raburn didn't play in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox after he was caught looking at third strikes three times the previous day, dropping his batting average to .146.

Now, he'll get a chance to work out the kinks in the minor leagues.

"It's kind of something that I didn't want to think would happen," said Raburn, who hasn't played in the minors since a brief stint in 2010. "But, you know, the way I've been swinging it, I just really haven't gotten the job done. So it's kind of just to help the team and help me, go down there and get it going. It's just unfortunate I wasn't able to help the team out much."

Raburn said his slow start "just kind of compounded."

"I don't feel like it's trying to rediscover a swing, or nothing like that," he said. "It's just a matter of going out there getting hits. That's the bottom line. This game is based on production. And right now, it just wasn't going."

Manager Jim Leyland said he thinks the decision left Raburn "relieved, a little bit," adding the player "needs to get away."

"There's never been anything I've been more sure of than that he needs to go down," Leyland said. "He needs to go try to find it.

"A lot of times, as a manager, you have some tough calls when you've got to send a guy out, whoever it may be. But this was not a tough call. We all love Ryan Raburn. He's a very popular teammate. The coaches and I are in his corner, and still will be, because I don't think we've seen the end of him. I'll be shocked if he doesn't get it going. But right now, this is definitely the move to make."

The move came one day after Leyland surprised many people by inserting Raburn into the No. 2 spot in the batting order.

"We obviously were thinking about this decision," Leyland said. "We kept trying to give him an opportunity. That's why I slipped him in the two hole yesterday. I couldn't really say that (then) but I knew something was going to happen soon, and this move was going to be made."

The Tigers did not announce the corresponding roster move.

Raburn's demotion came after an uncharacteristically poor performance by Verlander, who struggled to extend his streak of six-plus-inning outings to 53.

Verlander lost consecutive starts for the first time since April 2011 and allowed a season-high 10 hits in six innings.

Meantime, the Tigers were suffering another rash of stranded runners, with 10, in game which included a 38-minute rain delay in the bottom of the eighth inning.

"You give up five runs in this park, it's certainly not vintage Justin Verlander," Leyland said. "But at the same time, five runs is certainly not unreachable in this park. We had our shots."

The critical moment came in the fourth, when Verlander allowed a full-count, two-out, three-run double to Daniel Nava.

Verlander's last three pitches to Nava were 99, 99 and 100 miles per hour. The switch-hitting Nava got around just enough on the last one to slice the ball down the left-field line for a bases-clearing hit which staked Red Sox starter Daniel Bard (5-5) to a 4-0 lead.

Verlander gave up his last run in the fifth inning, when Adrian Gonzalez led off with a single and David Ortiz followed with a double.

Ortiz had three extra-base hits, including a seventh-inning home run off Duane Below, and took over the American League lead in that category with 29.

That's 23 more extra-base hits than Raburn has.

"I'm going to go down there and play just as hard as I do here, and hopefully get it going, because I know I can help this ball club," Raburn said. "It's just a matter of getting it going, getting back, and doing it."

Email David Mayo at dmayo@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo

Detroit Tigers send Ryan Raburn to Toledo, will announce corresponding move Wednesday

Wed, 30 May 2012 03:17:24 UTC

Since outfielder Austin Jackson is not eligible to come off the disabled list until Friday, it is unclear who will fill the spot left by Raburn.

AP PhotoRyan Raburn has been optioned to Triple-A Toledo.

The Detroit Tigers have optioned second baseman Ryan Raburn to Triple-A Toledo.

The Tigers announced the move after the game in Boston tonight and said they would announce a corresponding move Wednesday to fill the spot left by Raburn.

Raburn is a notoriously slow starter who has struggled even more this season than normal. He is hitting .146 with seven RBIs for the season and has an OPS of .420.

Since outfielder Austin Jackson is not eligible to come off the disabled list until Friday -- and apparently will not be ready to return at that point anyway -- it is unclear who will fill the spot left by Raburn.

-- Come back to MLive.com later tonight for more on this story.

Detroit Tigers' Justin Verlander has rare sub-par outing in 6-3 loss to Boston Red Sox

Wed, 30 May 2012 03:06:41 UTC

Tigers' ace barely extends streak of six-plus-inning outings to 53, allows season-high 10 hits in loss.

AP PhotoThe ground crew quickly pulls on the tarp after a downpour prompted a 38-minute rain delay in the bottom of the eighth inning in the Boston Red Sox's 6-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.

BOSTON – The Detroit Tigers often turn to Justin Verlander to end a losing streak. Now, he's turning to them to help stop one of his own.

The Tigers' ace had an uncharacteristically poor outing Tuesday in Boston, where he lost his second consecutive start, which he hadn't done in more than a year, and allowed a season-high 10 hits in six innings of a 6-3 loss to the Red Sox.

The reigning American League Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award winner had not lost consecutive starts since April 11 and 16 of last year. He had not allowed more than seven hits in any start this year.

And he entered Tuesday's game with a chance to become the first Tiger to pitch three consecutive complete games since Jack Morris in September 1990.

Instead, it was a struggle for Verlander (5-3) just to extend his streak of consecutive starts with at least six-plus innings to 53. By the time he got out of that inning with a 5-2 deficit, he already had made 105 pitches.

Verlander had pitched 18 consecutive scoreless innings against the Red Sox before a slow turn on a potential inning-ending double play allowed David Ortiz to score the game's first run in the second inning.

The critical moment came in the fourth, when Verlander allowed a full-count, two-out, three-run double to Daniel Nava.

Verlander wasn't even the Tigers' best pitcher of the night. That distinction fell to Brayan Villarreal, who recorded five outs, all on strikeouts.

Bard pitched 5 1/3 innings before giving way to a series of relief pitchers. Alfredo Aceves recorded his 12th save.

Verlander gave up his last run in the fifth inning, when Adrian Gonzalez led off with a single and Ortiz followed with a double.

Ortiz also homered off of Duane Below in the seventh for his third extra-base hit of the game, and 29th of the the season, tops in the American League. Texas' Josh Hamilton and Baltimore's Adam Jones have 28.

Meantime, the Tigers were suffering another rash of stranded runners, with 10 for the game.

The Tigers scored seven runs in the first two games of the series. Six of those scored on five home runs, of which four were solo shots, including a pair Tuesday by Prince Fielder and Jhonny Peralta.

The Tigers followed both of Verlander's previous losses with a victory in their next game.

There was a 38-minute rain delay in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Email David Mayo at dmayo@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo

Live Blog recap: Justin Verlander roughed up as Tigers lose second in a row to Red Sox

Wed, 30 May 2012 03:00:24 UTC

Verlander was electric in the eighth inning last week against Cleveland, and will look to pick Detroit up after a frustrating loss Monday.

Josh Slagter | MLive.comDetroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander pitched eight shutout innings against Boston on Opening Day, but didn't get the win.

When Detroit Tigers fans last saw Justin Verlander (5-2, 2.15 ERA) on the mound, the Detroit Tigers ace was pitching a memorable eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians.

The Tigers lost the game, but Verlander attempted to send a message to his teammates with 102 mph fastballs. From there, Detroit went on to sweep the Minnesota Twins.

The last time the Boston Red Sox faced Verlander, he was almost as good. The reigning American League Cy Young winner pitched eight shutout innings, but Boston rallied in the ninth and the Tigers had to win in extra innings.

Verlander gets another shot at beating the Red Sox tonight at Fenway Park. Here is Detroit's lineup:

1. Quintin Berry, CF
2. Andy Dirks, LF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 3B
4. Prince Fielder, 1B
5. Delmon Young, DH
6. Brennan Boesch, RF
7. Alex Avila, C
8. Jhonny Peralta, SS
9. Ramon Santiago, 2B

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Email Josh Slagter at jslagter@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JoshSlagter

Detroit Tigers' Magglio Ordonez, who retires Sunday, remembered by Jim Leyland for his professionalism

Tue, 29 May 2012 22:15:10 UTC

Ordonez played 15 major-league seasons, eight with the Chicago White Sox and his last seven with the Tigers.

Magglio Ordonez

BOSTON – Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland doesn't have to think long about his biggest moment in his current job.

It was Magglio Ordonez's series-clinching, walk-off home run in the 2006 American League Championship Series, which gave the Tigers a sweep of the Oakland A's and sent them to the World Series.

"It's my highlight with the Tigers, since I've become the manager," Leyland said.

Ordonez, after extended inactivity because of injuries, officially will announce his retirement on Sunday. The Tigers will conduct a ceremony to recognize their former right fielder in conjunction with a home game against the New York Yankees, the team announced.

The ceremony will begin at 12:40 p.m., 25 minutes before the game starts, and will be emceed by Tigers broadcaster Dan Dickerson.

Ordonez played 15 major-league seasons, eight with the Chicago White Sox and his last seven with the Tigers.

He was a key part of the Tigers' revival from a 72-win season in 2004, the year before his arrival.

"He was huge for us, won a batting title, hit one of the most famous home runs in Tiger history," Leyland said. "He was a huge part of it (the Tigers' turnaround). Magglio was a great silent teammate. Not a lot of fanfare, didn't like a lot of notoriety, didn't like to talk into the cameras. He was just a great, silent teammate. That's the way I'd put it."

Injuries limited Ordonez, 38, to fewer than 100 games each of his last two seasons, when he was used in a platoon role.

Leyland said the Tigers talked to Ordonez about a non-playing role within the organization but the former player wasn't interested.

He called Ordonez "a good soldier" who was one of his easiest players to handle.

"He knew he was going to be in the lineup every day," Leyland said. "He was prepared, knew the pitchers. You didn't have to do much with Magglio. He was a treat because he wasn't high-maintenance."

ODDS AND ENDS

-- Leyland has heard a load of complaints about his decision to put ice-cold Ryan Raburn in the No. 2 slot in the batting order for Monday's series opener. In a radio interview Tuesday by a Detroit station, he was asked again, and reiterated that his reasoning was to try to shake Raburn out of the doldrums against a left-handed starter, Felix Doubront, and perhaps take advantage of Fenway Park's monstrous left-field wall, the Green Monster. "I think they were trying to figure out if I'd lost my marbles," Leyland said. "That was the explanation and I thought it was a very good explanation, by the way." Raburn went 0-for-4, with three strikeouts, all called.

-- Umpire Bill Welke, who was at the center of Monday's controversy when he ruled from first base that Tigers catcher Gerald Laird didn't catch a foul tip which would have held the Red Sox scoreless in what became a three-run second inning, admitted the error to a designated pool reporter after the game. Mike Aviles, who was the batter, said he simply saw an opportunity to take advantage of some potential confusion, which he helped stir. Aviles said he knew he tipped the ball, and explained that the first thing he did was claim the ball bounced. "If I don’t say anything, just walk to the dugout, then I’m out," Aviles told Boston media. "If I say something, at least they can all get together, check first base, and at least we can figure out what’s going on. There’s always a chance. You never know."

-- Austin Jackson, out since May 16 with an abdominal injury, has yet to resume baseball activities and probably will not come off the 15-day disabled list when he is eligible to return, Leyland said. Jackson was placed on the disabled list last Friday, retroactive to May 17. The Tigers plan to reevaluate him when they return home Friday.

--Boston's Dustin Pedroia, who suffered a jammed right thumb on a diving play in Monday's game, did not start Tuesday. That leaves Atlanta's Dan Uggla as the only second baseman to start every game at that position this season.

Email David Mayo at dmayo@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo

MLB Player Poll: Detroit Tigers baserunners face three of baseball's top outfield arms

Tue, 29 May 2012 20:02:43 UTC

The Tigers don't have any all-time great arms in their outfield, but Austin Jackson is probably the team's most consistently strong arm.

AP File PhotoNot only does Austin Jackson's speed give him outstanding range, but his strong arm makes him the Detroit Tigers' best defensive weapon in the outfield.

Glen Edward Gorbous – a Canadian who had a three-year Major League Baseball stint with the Philadelphia Phillies – holds the record for the longest recorded throw of a baseball.

On August 1, 1957, Gorbous wound up and hurled a ball that landed 445 feet, 10 inches from where he released it.

No one in today's game has matched the feat, but FOX posed the question of who has the strongest arm in its weekly MLB Player Poll.

Twenty-four percent of the players responded with Rick Ankiel, the former St. Louis pitcher who got the yips and completely lost his ability to find the strike zone. After struggling in the minors as well, Ankiel made the successful switch to the outfield.

Now with Washington, he routinely makes Nationals opponents pay for challenging his strong arm, which scouts measure by looking at, among other factors, the online carry of the ball, the accuracy of the throw and the transfer of the ball from glove to hand.

Three consistent thorns in the sides of Detroit Tigers baserunners made the list: Seattle's Ichiro (6th, 6 percent); Texas' Nelson Cruz (5th, 7 percent) and Kansas City's Jeff Francoeur (2nd, 18 percent).

Francoeur, who nipped Ankiel by a single percentage point for the best outfield arm in fan voting, attributes his amazing success – half of his assists have come at the plate – to something simple: An accurate throw and "I get rid of the ball in two steps."

The Detroit Tigers don't have any all-time great arms in the outfield, but there are some solid ones.

Austin Jackson is probably the most reliable, powerful arm; combined with his speed, it makes him a deadly defensive player, who can track balls anywhere in his great range and get them to the infield in a hurry.

Despite Ryan Raburn's rancid performance at the plate – and perhaps even a demotion to Triple-A Toledo – the 6-foot, 185-pounder has a terrific arm. It doesn't get to shine from the second base position, but he's gunned down more than a few runners while playing in the outfield, where he's spent the majority of his Major League career.

After that, it's pretty debatable between Brendan Boesch, Andy Dirks, Don Kelly and Delmon Young, though Kelly would probably win the plurality of the votes.

Next week, FOX's MLB Player Poll will address who the most underrated player in baseball is.

Email Philip Zaroo at pzaroo@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/PhilipZaroo.

Detroit Tigers' lineups: Justin Verlander takes the mound against Boston Red Sox

Tue, 29 May 2012 19:31:10 UTC

Delmon Young, who initially was not slated to start after a court date in New York, was at the center of late lineup switch and will be the Tigers' DH.

Justin Verlander

BOSTON – After initially saying Delmon Young wouldn't start tonight, Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland pulled a late lineup switch today. Young will bat fifth, as designated hitter, for a 7:05 p.m. game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Young spent part of the day in court, in New York, where there was no resolution in his misdemeanor hate-crime harassment case. Leyland said in his pre-game media address that "this is probably a pretty trying day" for Young, and decided to use him off the bench. The Tigers initially released a lineup that included Don Kelly in right field and batting ninth, Brennan Boesch at designated hitter and batting fifth, shortstop Jhonny Peralta batting sixth, and second baseman Ramon Santiago batting ninth.

Kelly was scratched to make room for Young, with Boesch shifting to right field, along with several accompanying changes in the batting order.

Justin Verlander (5-2, 2.15), last year's American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner, who has not allowed a run in his last 16 2/3 innings against the Red Sox, dating back to May 19, 2011, starts for the Tigers in the second game of the four-game series. Verlander has a 3-2 lifetime record, with a 2.78 ERA, in eight starts against Boston.

Daniel Bard (4-5, 4.69) starts for the Red Sox.

Tonight's lineups:

DETROIT TIGERS

1. Quintin Berry, CF

2. Andy Dirks, LF

3. Miguel Cabrera, 3B

4. Prince Fielder, 1B

5. Delmon Young, DH

6. Brennan Boesch, RF

7. Alex Avila, C

8. Jhonny Peralta, SS

9. Ramon Santiago, 2B

BOSTON RED SOX

1. Daniel Nava, LF

2. Ryan Sweeney, RF

3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B

4. David Ortiz, DH

5. Kevin Youkilis, 3B

6. Jarron Saltalamacchia, C

7. Mike Aviles, SS

8. Scott Podsednik, CF

9. Nick Punto, 2B

Email David Mayo at: dmayo@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo

Magglio Ordonez to announce retirement Sunday during pregame ceremony at Comerica Park

Tue, 29 May 2012 18:32:29 UTC

The pregame ceremony Sunday will begin at about 12:40 p.m. Ordonez and his family will take part in the ceremony, which will be emceed by broadcaster Dan Dickerson.

AP File PhotoMagglio Ordonez celebrates while watching his three-run home run in Game 4 of the 2006 American League Championship Series that sent the Detroit Tigers to the World Series.

Former Detroit Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez will announce his retirement Sunday afternoon during a ceremony at Comerica Park prior to the game between the Tigers and the New York Yankees.

Ordonez hit .312 (989-for-3,171) with 107 home runs and 533 RBIs in seven seasons for the Tigers. His most memorable hit will be the walk-off, three-run home run in Game 4 of the 2006 American League Championship Series that gave the Tigers a sweep of the Oakland A's and a spot in the World Series.

Ordonez won the American League batting title in 2007 with a .363 average to become the first Tigers player to win a batting title since Norm Cash won one in 1961.

Ordonez was a six-time All-Star who was named to the All-Star team twice while with the Tigers.

The pregame ceremony Sunday will begin at about 12:40 p.m. Ordonez and his family will take part in the ceremony, which will be emceed by broadcaster Dan Dickerson.

-- Follow Chris Iott on Twitter for updates on the Tigers.

Ryan Raburn's 'leash is probably not very long' after 0-for-4 performance in Detroit Tigers loss

Tue, 29 May 2012 17:36:10 UTC

Detroit's second baseman, who is batting .146, could see himself relegated to the minors, after wasting an opportunity to bat second in the lineup by Tigers manager Jim Leyland.

AP PhotoDetroit Tigers second baseman Ryan Raburn (25) has struggled at the plate all season.

If a poor man comes across a $100 bill in the middle of the street, he'd be wise to figure out how to turn that money into more money, rather than simply spending it on things that won't last.

Jim Leyland handed Ryan Raburn a $100 bill by batting him second in Detroit's lineup Monday. The Tigers second baseman responded by cutting it up into little pieces, setting them ablaze and stomping on the ashes.

Raburn, who is batting .146 with an on-base percentage of .209, watched three third strikes go by as he went 0-for-4 in Detroit's 7-4 loss to Boston.

It doesn't sound like he's going to get much longer to turn things around, though Leyland wouldn't confirm anything yet.

"Well, we'll take care of that. I'm not going to get into that right now," the Tigers skipper said on WXYT-FM Detroit. "I would never discuss something like that until I talk to the player. But the leash is probably not very long, to be honest with you. But like I said, I'm not going to get into that right now on the public airwaves. I don't think it makes sense to do that right now. We'll take care of that situation and see what happens."

Leyland took some heat for slotting a struggling hitter so high in the lineup, but other factors played into the decision, namely not wanting to have two lefties batting first and second in the order against a strong left-handed pitcher in the Red Sox's Felix Doubront.

He admits the move didn't work, and understands why people would second-guess the decision.

"We talked about it and said let's put him in the two-hole," Leyland explained. "Maybe it'll wake him up a little bit. Maybe it'll do something. Maybe it'll jolt him a little. Maybe it'll get him going – you got him up in the lineup, you've got the green monster. Maybe he can run into one.

"Obviously, it didn't work, and that's a legitimate question, there's no question about it. But I'm answering it, and I don't mind explaining to you why I did it."

Regardless of whether Raburn stays and turns things around, or heads down to the minors, Leyland wants to be clear on something: there is plenty of blame to go around for the Tigers' disappointing 23-25 record, which has them in third place in the A.L. Central.

"The focus seems to always be on Raburn, but Raburn hasn't been the only problem," Leyland said. "We've had some dead spots in our lineup. I understand the Raburn issue. He seems to be the one guy everybody singles out, and obviously he's done nothing up until this point, but we're not where we are solely because of Ryan Raburn. There have been a lot that have contributed, but we just haven't done a good enough job."

Listen to the full interview to hear Leyland's plans for speedy Quintin Berry, who has been a strong addition to the Tigers lineup since filling in for the injured Austin Jackson:

Email Philip Zaroo at pzaroo@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/PhilipZaroo.

Detroit Tigers outright Collin Balester to Triple-A Toledo after he clears waivers

Tue, 29 May 2012 17:25:00 UTC

The Tigers designated Balester for assignment last week and had to put him through the waiver process before sending him to Triple-A.

AP File PhotoPitcher Collin Balester has been outrighted to Triple-A Toledo by the Detroit Tigers.

Right-handed pitcher Collin Balester will remain in the Detroit Tigers organization after he went unclaimed in the waiver process.

The Tigers announced this afternoon that they have outrighted Balester to Triple-A Toledo. Balester cleared waivers after the Tigers designated him for assignment last week.

"I'm just going to work hard and be ready to come back when they need me again," Balester said this afternoon via text message. "I'm excited to still be with the Tigers."

Balester struggled for the Tigers this season after he was obtained in a trade with the Washington Nationals for relief pitcher Ryan Perry. Balester posted a 6.50 ERA in 18 innings pitched for the Tigers. He issued 11 walks and allowed five home runs during that time.

Balester said last week he hoped to land with another major league team but that he really enjoyed his brief stint with the Tigers.

"I really enjoyed my time with the Tigers, and I like all the players, coaches and everyone in the front office," Balester said at the time. "I just wish I would have pitched better."

-- Follow Chris Iott on Twitter for updates on the Tigers.