Tiger Geist

This isn’t good news, but Brandon Inge is apparently human and has lots o’ pain in both knees.  Tonight that means Ryan Raburn gets his first start at third this year (his sixth position in 2009, if you include DH).  Now the debate can begin (due to Inge’s injury):

Does Carlos Guillen make a return as a left fielder AND a backup third baseman?  Or does it possibly open up a spot for Jeff Larish to get some at-bats if Detroit can’t trade for a left handed bat?

Honestly, i don’t know.  I agree with Billfer, no idea why Josh Anderson has gotten so much playing time, unless he’s being showcased to be moved.  I imagine there is a good chance that JA is DFA’d, giving Detroit 10 days to trade him or release him once they get Guillen back – 10 days that line up pretty well for the July 31 trading deadline.  It appears that Raburn’s job is secure due to his backup infield positions, and Guillen’s shoulder may keep him from playing the infield anyway.  Or is third base easier on your shoulder?  It seems Guillen’s best position is the old softball “rover” position (the random dude you play when you have 10 fielders, kind of a deep shortstop); his knees/back keep him out of the infield, and his shoulder is keeping him from playing left field.  So rover it is.

For Larish, his playing time may only come as a September call-up, unless Detroit wants his bat before September 1 (and would make him playoff-roster eligible).  While Larish’s average is decent (.279), he’s had a surprising lack of power in his return to Toledo.