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Detroit Tigers Clips Saturday, April 21, 2012

Detroit Free Press Tigers ace Justin Verlander faces hard-hitting Rangers tonight (Lowe) Pitcher Fister's stay on disabled list likely will be extended (Lowe) Tigers-Rangers game postponed by rain; doubleheader Saturday (Staff) Tigers bring back RHP Zach Miner via trade with Royals (Staff) Tiger Stadium anniversary: Fans mark 100th by returning to Michigan and Trumbull (Fenech) The Detroit News Tigers manager Jim Leyland has had enough of the questions (Henning) Tigers-Rangers game postponed; doubleheader Saturday (Gage) Happy 100th birthday, Tiger Stadium (Staff) Right-hander Zach Miner headed back to Tigers (Henning) MLive.com Detroit Tigers' Doug Fister still not ready to return, likely out until May (Schmehl) Detroit Tigers-Texas Rangers postponed, day-night doubleheader scheduled Saturday (Schmehl) Steady, persistent rain forces delay between Detroit Tigers-Texas Rangers (Schmehl) Detroit Tigers' Brennan Boesch makes precautionary start at DH after turning ankle (Schmehl) Tonight's lineup: Detroit Tigers' Delmon Young back in left field, Brennan Boesch tabbed DH (Schmehl) Detroit Tigers acquire ex-Tiger Zach Miner in trade with Kansas City (Schmehl) Detroit Tigers' Drew Smyly tests bruised back, says he's ready for Sunday's start (Schmehl) MLB.com Tigers-Rangers postponed; twin bill Saturday (Beck) Miggy looks for elusive starting nod in ASG vote (Beck) Fister improves, but unlikely to return until May (Odoardi) Struggling Schlereth looking for results (Odoardi) Penciled in as DH, Boesch downplays ankle (Odoardi) Detroit twin bill to feature fresh, not-so-rested hurlers (Roberts) Royals deal Miner back to Tigers for cash (Kaegel) FOXSportsDetroit.com Tigers will play doubleader Saturday (Staff)

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Fans gather at Tiger Stadium site to celebrate (Hogg) Miner returns, joins Double-A Erie (Hogg) Yahoo! Sports Detroit Tigers Will Need Big Bats of Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder Against Texas Rangers (Biggers) Forbes.com Earth Day In Detroit: Motor City Becomes Cycle City (Maynard) CBSSports.com Tiger Stadium would also have been 100 today (Perry) Daily Transactions

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Tigers ace Justin Verlander faces hard-hitting Rangers tonight April 21, 2012 By John Lowe / Detroit Free Press After Justin Verlander beat the Royals on Monday night, Kansas City manager Ned Yost called him "the best pitcher in the world." The Texas Rangers have hit the ball this season like they have the best lineup in the world, or at least in the American League. The Rangers entered Friday leading the league in scoring with six runs per game; they scored 10 on Thursday night against the Tigers even though they left 15 runners on base. It could be quite the showdown when Verlander faces the Rangers at 7:05 tonight in the second game of a makeup day-night doubleheader at Comerica Park. Rick Porcello, who had his Friday night start rained out, will face Texas at 1:05 today. Verlander has pitched compelling, dominant ball in all three of his starts this season. He has pitched at least eight innings in all of them, and in the first eight innings of those games, he has given up one run in 24 innings -- an ERA before the ninth inning of 0.38. But Verlander has won just once, in part because his starts summarize how the Tigers haven't hit with a lot of consistency. In Verlander's three starts, the Tigers have scored a total of seven runs while he has been in the game: two runs against Boston on Opening Day, two against Tampa Bay and three against Kansas City. In five of the Tigers' past seven games, they've scored three runs or fewer. This might all speak to the importance of cleanup hitter Miguel Cabrera and leadoff hitter Austin Jackson. Cabrera has gone nine games without an extra-base hit, matching the fifth-longest such streak of his career. His longest is 12 games, and it came in April 2009, according to Baseball-Reference.com. Manager Jim Leyland frequently speaks of Jackson as the player who makes the Tigers go. Jackson reached base in each of the first 10 games of the season, often more than once per game. But in the three games since then, Jackson hasn't reached base. He's 0-for-13 in those three games with six strikeouts. In general, the Tigers have gotten strong enough pitching to win low-scoring games. They're 9-4, and their 3.46 team ERA was the fourth best in the AL entering Friday. Perhaps Verlander tonight is in for the kind of low-scoring challenge like the one he had when he faced Texas last April at Comerica Park. In that one, he pitched a six-hitter. He lost, 2-0. Verlander will see essentially the same booming Texas lineup he confronted then and in the playoffs in October. Here are some of the interesting Rangers career numbers off Verlander (regular season only): leadoff hitter Ian Kinsler is 3-for-18 off him but has four walks; Mike Napoli (who has homered in Texas' past four games) has one homer in 15 at-bats against Verlander; and Josh Hamilton is 4-for-11 against him -- a .364 average, the best among the current Rangers off Verlander. Verlander will face right-hander Neftali Feliz, the Rangers' closer the past few seasons who has been moved to the rotation. He has won both of his starts so far, and he's 1-for-2 in quality starts.

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Pitcher Fister's stay on disabled list likely will be extended April 21, 2012 By John Lowe / Detroit Free Press Right-hander Doug Fister's absence remains indefinite. As long as he's out, the Tigers apparently will have two rookie left-handers in the rotation -- Drew Smyly, who won the fifth spot in spring training, and Adam Wilk, who has lost both his starts since he stepped in for Fister. Fister has been out since suffering a strained side two weeks ago today in his first start of the season. He's eligible to come off the disabled list in a few days, but it appears there's no way he'll be back that soon. He stopped throwing Tuesday when he felt discomfort near the spot of injury and, as of Friday afternoon, he hadn't resumed throwing. "He is better today," manager Jim Leyland said Friday. "Where that leads to, I really don't know." Pitching coach Jeff Jones said he expected Fister would resume on-field activity in the next few days. Miner back in organization: The Tigers reacquired right-hander Zach Miner on from Kansas City for cash. He was assigned to Double-A Erie. "We are happy to have Zach back in the organization," assistant general manager Al Avila said. "He gives us added depth. We plan to have Zach start games in Erie, and he can and may also be used as a reliever." Miner, 30, pitched for the Tigers in 2006-09, primarily as a reliever. He also made 35 starts for the Tigers. In May 2010, he had reconstructive surgery on his pitching elbow.

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Tigers-Rangers game postponed by rain; doubleheader Saturday April 21, 2012 By Staff / Detroit Free Press The Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers have been postponed by rain. The game will be rescheduled as part of a day-night doubleheader Saturday at Comerica Park. Tonight's second game of a four-game set was called after a 25-minute rain delay at the start. Tigers right-hander Rick Porcello and Rangers lefty Matt Harrison will pitch in the 1:05 p.m. game Saturday. Righties Justin Verlander and Neftali Feliz will start at 7:05. Tickets for tonight’s game will be honored for the second game Saturday; no exchange is necessary. Fans unable to attend the rescheduled game may exchange their unused tickets at any time for a future regular-season non-premium game within 12 months. This is the only trip the Rangers are scheduled to make to Detroit during the regular season. Texas routed the Tigers, 10-3, on Thursday night in the teams’ first meeting since the Rangers beat Detroit in six games in the 2011 AL Championship Series. Texas has won seven straight games and is off to a major league-best 11-2 start.

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Tigers bring back RHP Zach Miner via trade with Royals April 21, 2012 By Staff / Detroit Free Press The Kansas City Royals have traded former Tiger Zach Miner back to Detroit for cash considerations, the Kansas City Star reported this morning. The Tigers' media relations director, Brian Britten, confirmed the Star report this afternoon. Miner, 30, will be sent to Double-A Erie. Miner broke in with the Tigers in 2006, after the team acquired him via trade the off-season before, and pitched four seasons with Detroit. He compiled a 25-20 record with a 4.24 ERA with the Tigers in primarily a relief role. Over the years, however, he started 35 games. Miner underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2010, missed the entire season and signed with the Royals that off-season. He didn’t pitch in the majors in 2011, instead compiling a 5.26 ERA between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha in the Royals’ organization.

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Tiger Stadium anniversary: Fans mark 100th by returning to Michigan and Trumbull Precious memories, fun, work fill air at old site April 21, 2012 By Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press John Benech stepped to the plate Friday afternoon at the site formerly known as Tiger Stadium, took a lob for a strike and another for a ball, before hitting a weak chopper to Alan Trammell at shortstop. "Tram with the nice play!" someone shouted. Kirk Gibson then stepped to the plate and, wasting no time, jumped on a first-pitch lob and sent it deep to rightfield. "Long gone!" that same someone shouted. Only it wasn't Trammell at short, rather a middle-aged Detroiter named Joe Michnuk. And it wasn't Gibby with the big fly, it was Brooks Lumber Company employee Peter Comstock Riley. And it wasn't Ernie Harwell on the call but rather Adam Millikin on what would have been Tiger Stadium's 100th birthday. A number of Tiger Stadium purists took the field Friday for The Corner's centennial celebration and, unlike that of its sister stadium's celebration at Fenway Park in Boston, did so without the fanfare, the 36,770 people in attendance, or the Red Sox loss. "There should be two celebrations," Alex Bensky, 63, of Ferndale, said. "We're still celebrating baseball and Tiger Stadium, but there should be even more to celebrate." The celebration was keyed by the Navin Field Grounds Crew, a group spearheaded two years ago by Redford's Tom Derry, who drove by the corner of Michigan and Trumbull, saw it engulfed in weeds and decided something needed to be done to save the integrity of the space. "We'd like people to still play baseball here," Derry said. "But not only to play baseball, but to walk their dogs and come to the park and enjoy themselves." So Derry, armed with a handful of rakes, a walking mower and a John Deere riding mower, recruited a couple of friends to help keep up the 9-acre patch of land previously left in neglect by the city. And they've been coming back every Sunday since. "We do the best we can," Derry said. "But it's an honor and privilege to do it." Among yesterday's visitors were former Tigers locker room security guard Michnuk, who was camped out with a grill in the morning, and a busload of Ford employees from the company's world headquarters in Dearborn. "To be able to help people cherish these memories is a great thing," Michnuk said. "There are so many people with deep connections to the site, it's almost like a religious experience -- a pilgrimage of sorts." And while the battleship-like structure Al Kaline once referred to doesn't stand anymore, the tallest flagpole in the state of Michigan still does, and received a 100th birthday gift from Riley, a 6-foot-by-8-foot flag "Celebrating a century of memories. "Even though the actual team plays at Comerica Park, the reality is, the roots of baseball in Detroit are still here," he said.

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Tigers manager Jim Leyland has had enough of the questions April 21, 2012 By Lynn Henning / The Detroit News Detroit -- He has been trying for a couple of weeks to kick a cold that sent half the Tigers to the doctor and others to the drugstore. So there was one possible explanation for manager Jim Leyland's suddenly brusque ways during the past week's news briefings. This wasn't only an intramural issue as Leyland's mood swing signaled that something was up. A manager's community profile is probably most often painted by those postgame interviews he does with FSD and with its radio-television cohorts ahead of a second session with print media. If the manager is short, his audience becomes uncomfortable. If the manager is expansive and gentle, his fan base tends to find the skipper more reassuring. What was obvious during the past week is something was chewing at Leyland. He appeared to be out of sorts during a postgame conversation in Kansas City, which is going to happen from time to time when a game has gone badly or, in this case, when a question hit a nerve. He was again terse during Thursday's session at Comerica Park after being a bit of a bear in Chicago. And so we wondered: What's up with Leyland? No storytelling As it turns out, nothing fans would find unsettling. He hasn't gotten weary of his job. His health is fine. His marriage and family are great. He simply has grown tired, he said Friday, of two issues he no longer cares to address: Justin Verlander's pitch count, which initially frosted him when he was asked about it after the April 11 Rays-Tigers game at Comerica Park. He is likewise finished with discussions about Miguel Cabrera and his defense as Cabrera continues with his migration to third base. "It just seems like I talk a lot," Leyland said Friday as the Tigers got ready for a rematch against the Rangers at Comerica Park. "So, I'm not gonna sit around and tell stories. "Ask all the questions you want. That's my job. I want you to ask questions. That's what I'm here for." Where this has relevancy to a Tigers community heavily invested in its baseball team in 2012 is that insight into a manager's frame of mind can spill from these pregame conversations. OK till the next time That's why Leyland's sudden change in disposition was so jarring. The curtness, the premeditated brevity, was out of character. Six years is a long time into observing someone. This wasn't the Leyland who had been on regular display since spring camp, 2006. But his response can be accepted and respected. The man is, contrary to some good-natured spoof artists, human. And the community will definitely support his decision to stop talking about Verlander's pitch counts — well, until the next game when Verlander's pitch count leads to a major debate about whether the skipper should have left him in the game or patted him on the back and excused him for the night. Cabrera's move to third has to date been a success. Evan Longoria's grounder that helped beat Verlander on April 14, the same day pitch-count questions met with Leyland's flashpoint, was one man's conviction — mine — that other third basemen would have turned a double play. The belief holds, just as it remains no indictment of Cabrera, who has done an admirable job of relocating to his old position. That's Leyland's position. On the flip side, he said he doesn't need people reminding him Cabrera made a nice play or a deft pickup. It's over. Settled. And while everyone's at it, toss those pitch-count questions, too. Which everyone will do. Until today's game, anyway.

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Tigers-Rangers game postponed; doubleheader Saturday April 21, 2012 By Tom Gage / The Detroit News Detroit - The Tigers' series against the Texas Rangers just got more challenging. They'll play a day-night doubleheader against the American League Champions on Saturday because of Friday night's rainout at Comerica Park. Game times will be 1:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. at Comerica Park. The Tigers bumped Rick Porcello back from the start he was going to make Friday night to Saturday's afternoon game. Justin Verlander will start the 7:05 p.m. game. The Rangers will go with left-hander Matt Harrison and right-hander Neftali Feliz in that order. The postponement was the first of the Tigers' season.

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Happy 100th birthday, Tiger Stadium April 21, 2012 By Staff / The Detroit News Detroit — Lost in the hoopla of Fenway Park's 100th birthday today ... It's Tiger Stadium's, too. The two ballparks opened the same day in 1912. Fenway Park still stands and will host a massive birthday party today before the Red Sox-Yankees game. Tiger Stadium has been closed since 1999, and demolished since 2009. But the grand old ballpark lives on in our minds, and our hearts. On April 20, 1912, Navin Field, at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull, hosted its first game — a 6-5 victory over the Cleveland Naps (who didn't become the Indians until two years later). It was a built for a tidy sum of $300,000, which is equal to more than $7 million in today's dollars. By comparison, the new Yankee Stadium cost more than $1.5 billion to build. The ballpark was called Navin Field until 1938, when it was renamed Briggs Stadium. Both were named after the ownership. That changed in 1961, when new owner John Fetzer called it Tiger Stadium. The ballpark, with its famous vast center field and over-hanging porch in right field, hosted its final game in 1999, when the Tigers beat the Royals, 8-2, in a game highlighted by Robert Fick's grand slam that landed on the roof in right field. The Tigers moved to state-of-the-art Comerica Park in 2000, but Tiger Stadium stood — mostly unused and decaying — until the city finally completed the demolition in September 2009, 10 years after the finale. The Tiger Stadium lot remains vacant, though several community members in recent years have taken turns keeping up with landscaping while keeping the trash out. Some even use the lot to play catch.

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Right-hander Zach Miner headed back to Tigers April 21, 2012 By Lynn Henning / The Detroit News Detroit— When he was pitching his best for the Tigers, Zach Miner was valuable "because of his versatility." "That was his biggest asset," manager Jim Leyland said. "He could go long and start." Several years removed from that versatility, but still hoping to get back to the majors, Miner was acquired from the Royals for cash considerations Friday and assigned to Double A Erie. Miner, 30, pitched for the Tigers from 2006-09. Of his 157 appearances, 35 were starts. His ERA with the Tigers was 4.24. Last season, Miner was 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA in 12 games, all in relief, for the Royals' Triple A affiliate. Fister's status no clearer Doug Fister felt better Friday, "but what that means and where that leads to," Leyland said he didn't really know. "I check with him every day, and he was sore (abdomen) for a couple of days, but today it's better," Leyland said. "And that was early, so I don't think it meant he was out doing stuff." Leyland not only said he still doesn't know when Fister is going to throw a side session again, but "it clearly looks" like he still will be on the disabled list May 1. "There was one point we were hoping he could just come back here, throw a little bit and be ready to pitch," Leyland said. "But it doesn't look like that's going to happen." Fister has been on the disabled list since April 8 with a side strain, complicated by the recent abdominal soreness. Around the horn Before the game was postponed, the Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers Association presented Justin Verlander with his Tiger of the Year Award. It's the second time he's won the award (2009). Miguel Cabrera is the only other current Tigers player with two awards. … Reliever Octavio Dotel still needs one appearance to reach 700 for his career. He pitched in 436 games with the Astros and White Sox, but averaged 24 games for the 11 other clubs he's played for. Two former Tigers still active with more career appearances than Dotel are Francisco Cordero and Kyle Farnsworth . No pitcher has come close to appearing in 700 games with the Tigers. John Hiller (545) holds the Tigers record. … The postponement may benefit Andy Dirks , who sounded Friday as if he was only a day away from playing again as he continues to recover from a sore hamstring. "It's better," Dirks said. ... Leyland watched the celebration at Fenway Park on its 100th anniversary, and of the participating players he knew, but hadn't seen in a while, he singled out Detroit native Bernie Carbo . … Monday will be an off-day for the Tigers between the Rangers and Mariners series at Comerica Park, but none of the five starters will be skipped. "We'll just bump them back," Leyland said. … William Durren IV , owner of Durren Resources Inc. (printing and marketing services) was presented the Jackie Robinson Most Valuable Diverse Business Partner award before the game was postponed.

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Detroit Tigers' Doug Fister still not ready to return, likely out until May April 21, 2012 By James Schmehl / MLive.com DETROIT -- It was assumed Doug Fister wouldn’t be ready to return Monday when he becomes eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list. Now, it's officially been confirmed. He needs more time. Fister remains sidelined from a left costochondral strain that forced him to the 15-day disabled list April 7. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said an exact timeline for Fister's return isn’t available, but admitted the 28-year-old right-hander probably won’t be ready before May. “It certainly looks that way,” Leyland said. “There was one point where we were hoping he could come back and be ready to pitch, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.” Fister cut short a throwing session Tuesday, one day after he threw for the first time since going on the disabled list. He said he experienced pain in his abdomen about 15 pitches into his session and has since been instructed to rest until the pain subsides. “It was the first time that I had gotten on the mound,” Fister said. “I was a little reserved.” Fister underwent additional tests Thursday and the results came back negative, according to Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski. “He went out there and threw long toss at 200 feet and he had no pain whatsoever,” Dombrowski told MLB Network Radio. “When he went on the mound and gave it more effort at the shorter distance. It bothered him a little bit and we didn’t want him to push it.” Still, Dombrowski said Friday that Fister has been “slow to recover.” “He’s not going to be ready to start Tuesday,” Dombrowski said, “but we’re hopeful that he won’t be far behind that.” Fister threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox on April 7 before coming out of the game. He was placed on the disabled list shortly after. “We haven’t set any sort of goal for my return,” Fister said. “We’re just taking it day by day. It’s been about me trying to feel good.” For now, it appears the Tigers will continue to use left-hander Adam Wilk to fill Fister's spot in the rotation. Wilk is expected to start Wednesday's game against the visiting Seattle Mariners.

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Detroit Tigers-Texas Rangers postponed, day-night doubleheader scheduled Saturday April 21, 2012 By James Schmehl / MLive.com DETROIT -- Steady rain will put Rick Porcello’s third start on hold for at least one more day. Friday’s game between the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers was officially postponed following a 25-minute rain delay. It will be made up Saturday as part of a day-night doubleheader at 1:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m., respectively. The pitching matchups will not be altered as Porcello and Texas left-hander Matt Harrison -- Friday's tentative starters -- will pitch the regularly-scheduled day game. Detroit right-hander Justin Verlander and Texas right-hander Neftali Feliz will start the makeup nightcap. Both games will be broadcast on FOX Sports Detroit. The weather forecast for Saturday calls for mostly sunny skies with a 10 percent chance of showers. A tarp was placed over the field around 6 p.m. and officials met before the scheduled 7:05 start Friday to issue a rain delay. Tigers officials called the game after a 25-minute delay. Prior to the game, both Detroit and Texas participated in outdoor batting practice under cloudy skies. This is the only series between the two clubs at Comerica Park this season. A possible a makeup game could have been rescheduled on May 3 -- the first joint off-day, but both clubs agreed to the split doubleheader Saturday. All paid tickets and season parking passes from Friday's game are valid for Saturday's night game. No ticket exchange is necessary. Fans unable to attend the rescheduled game can exchange unused tickets at any time for a future regular-season non-premium game scheduled to be played within a year from Friday -- excluding Opening Day and subject to availability.

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Steady, persistent rain forces delay between Detroit Tigers-Texas Rangers April 21, 2012 By James Schmehl / MLive.com DETROIT -- A steady and persistent rain forced a delay Friday night in the second game of the Detroit Tigers’ four-game series against the Texas Rangers. It’s a familiar sight as both clubs fell victim to a rain delay in Game 4 of last year’s American League Championship Series in Detroit, too. The delay is expected to last at least a half-hour with rain expected to fall intermittently over the next several hours. A tarp was placed over the field around 6 p.m. and officials met before the scheduled 7:05 start to discuss the game’s status. Prior to the game, both Detroit and Texas participated in outdoor batting practice under cloudy skies. This is the only series between the two clubs at Comerica Park this season -- an indication that the delay could last hours before it is canceled. The Tigers will travel to Arlington, Texas for a three-game series in late June and a three-game set in mid-August. If the game is canceled, a day-night doubleheader could be scheduled Saturday. The weather forecast for Saturday calls for mostly sunny skies with a 10 percent chance of showers. It’s also possible a makeup game could be rescheduled on May 3 -- the first joint off-day for both clubs.

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Detroit Tigers' Brennan Boesch makes precautionary start at DH after turning ankle April 21, 2012 By James Schmehl / MLive.com DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers outfielder Brennan Boesch was in the lineup Friday, a day after he turned his left ankle in the ninth inning of Thursday’s 10-3 series-opening loss to Texas. He was penciled in as the club’s designated hitter Friday as a precaution, but said he probably could’ve played right field. It’s the first game he’s started at DH this season. Trying to beat out his game-ending grounder hit to short, Boesch said he caught a spike in his ankle as he jumped out of the batter's box, causing it to roll. He was spotted limping back to the dugout. “It’s a freak thing and it happens very rarely,” Boesch said. “It’s scary more than anything, but it didn’t hurt me.” Dirks remains day-to-day Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks participated in an on-field workout and took live batting practice Friday as he continues to recover from tightness in his left hamstring. Leyland listed Dirks as day-to-day after missing his third consecutive game Friday. Dirks said Thursday he doesn't anticipate the need to be placed on the 15-day disabled list.

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Tonight's lineup: Detroit Tigers' Delmon Young back in left field, Brennan Boesch tabbed DH April 21, 2012 By James Schmehl / MLive.com DETROIT -- For the fifth time in the last six games, the Detroit Tigers will face a left-handed starting pitcher. Tonight, it's Texas' Matt Harrison. As a result, the Tigers' starting lineup Friday is heavy with right-handed hitters, including Brandon Inge, who will bat ninth and make his third start at second base in the second game of a four-game set against the Rangers. Since the start of last season, Harrison's 2.84 road ERA is tied for third-best in the American League, but the Tigers have found recent success southpaws. Of the six games Detroit has faced a left-handed starter, the club has gone 6-0. Brennan Boesch, who was spotted walking gingerly to the dugout in the ninth inning of Thursday's 10-3 loss, has been assigned designated-hitting duties Friday with Ryan Raburn starting in right field. Raburn, who is off to an early-season 3-for-37 slump, will bat sixth behind Delmon Young, who returns to left field after being tabbed the DH in back-to-back games. Raburn, who received an off-day Thursday, is batting a career .667 with two home runs and two doubles against Harrison. The 26-year-old Harrison has struggled in his five career starts against the Tigers with a 0-4 record and a 7.43 ERA. However, he's 2-0 this year and has a 0.64 ERA, which leads a Texas rotation that is 9-0 for the first time in club history. The Tigers will counter with right-hander Rick Porcello, who opposed Harrison in Game 4 of last year's American League Championship Series. He's 1-0 with a 1.84 ERA and is coming off Sunday's one-run, five-hit showing in 7 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox. Here's tonight's starting lineup: DETROIT TIGERS 1. Austin Jackson, CF 2. Brennan Boesch, DH 3. Miguel Cabrera, 3B 4. Prince Fielder, 1B 5. Delmon Young, LF 6. Ryan Raburn, RF 7. Jhonny Peralta, SS 8. Alex Avila, C 9. Brandon Inge, 2B RHP Rick Porcello. Here are the probable pitchers for the remainder of the series: Friday vs. Texas DETROIT: RHP Rick Porcello. TEXAS: LHP Matt Harrison. Saturday vs. Texas DETROIT: RHP Justin Verlander. TEXAS: RHP Neftali Feliz. Sunday vs. Texas DETROIT: LHP Drew Smyly. TEXAS: RHP Colby Lewis.

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Detroit Tigers acquire ex-Tiger Zach Miner in trade with Kansas City April 21, 2012 By James Schmehl / MLive.com DETROIT -- Remember Zach Miner? Well, he's back with Detroit. The Tigers acquired the right-handed pitcher early Friday from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations. Miner, 30, isn't expected to rejoin the major league team and will report to the club's Double-A affiliate in Erie this weekend. Miner compiled a 25-20 record with a 4.24 ERA in three seasons with Detroit, splitting time between a reliever and a starting pitcher. He was previously acquired by the Tigers in 2005 in a deadline deal that sent reliever Kyle Farnsworth to the Atlanta Braves. “His versatility, I thought, was his biggest asset,” manager Jim Leyland said. “He could go short or he could go long.” Miner, who missed the entire 2010 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2010, signed a minor league deal last season with the Kansas City Royals. He hasn't appeared in a major league game since early October 2009. Miner went 3-7 with a 5.26 ERA in 23 appearances in 2011, splitting time between Kansas City's Double-A and Triple-A affiliates.

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Detroit Tigers' Drew Smyly tests bruised back, says he's ready for Sunday's start April 21, 2012 By James Schmehl / MLive.com DETROIT -- Drew Smyly wasn’t entirely sure Wednesday if he’d be able to make his scheduled start Sunday after stiffness in his back limited his side session. A day later, he appeared confident he wouldn’t have to push it back. “I was a little worried about it because it was pretty stiff and I couldn’t turn much,” Smyly said. “But Thursday, I woke up feeling a whole lot better.” Smyly continues to nurse a sore back after he was struck by a line drive in his start Tuesday. He said the area has started to bruise, but the swelling has subsided. Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones talked to Smyly after his side session Wednesday and asked if the 22-year-old would be ready for his scheduled start. “He asked me if I was sure I could go because I looked ugly,” Smyly said. “I was a little worried about it, too.” Any worries that Smyly or Jones had about his status Sunday disappeared following his bullpen session Thursday. “It didn’t bother me at all,” Smyly said. “I’m ready.”

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Tigers-Rangers postponed; twin bill Saturday Rainout leads to day-night doubleheader at Comerica Park April 21, 2012 By Jason Beck / MLB.com DETROIT -- The Tigers will have to wait a day to resume their American League Championship Series rematch with the Rangers. A line of showers passing through Michigan slowed over Detroit on Friday night, washing out the second game of this four-game set. The game will be made up in a day-night doubleheader Saturday at Comerica Park. The first game will be at 1:05 p.m. ET, with the nightcap coming at 7:05. Tickets and parking passes for Friday's game will be honored for the Saturday night game. No ticket exchange is necessary. The pitching matchups will remain the same. Rick Porcello and Matt Harrison, Friday's scheduled starters, will pitch the day game on Saturday. Justin Verlander and Neftali Feliz will be pushed back to the nightcap. With the Rangers only visiting the Tigers once in the regular season, Detroit opted for Saturday's twin bill. (AP)The Tigers and Rangers took batting practice in 70-degree weather, albeit under cloudy skies. The skies opened up about an hour before game time and didn't let up before the game was called at 7:30 p.m. ET, 25 minutes after the scheduled start time. The weather system looked like a thin line of showers extending south and west, but it wasn't moving west to east very quickly. Moreover, the line of storms seemed to thicken as the day went on. If the teams had waited, they would've been left with a late-night game before a day game on Saturday. Given the alternative, they opted for the doubleheader under a forecast of clear skies Saturday. This is the Rangers' only scheduled series at Comerica Park this season, so they would've otherwise had to find a common off-day for Texas to travel back to Detroit later in the season.

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Miggy looks for elusive starting nod in ASG vote April 21, 2012 By Jason Beck / MLB.com Miguel Cabrera has never been a winner in All-Star Game balloting -- not when he was an emerging star in left field and third base with the Florida Marlins, not when he made the jump to the American League to become an MVP-caliber first baseman in Detroit. Now that he's a third baseman again, this might be his best chance. While Prince Fielder's jump to the AL adds another superstar name to an already star-studded field, Cabrera no longer has to worry about that. When he agreed to shift across the infield to third base, he arguably became the biggest name at the hot corner in the league -- though he'll have to contend with Rangers slugger and defensive wizard Adrian Beltre, as well as Rays star Evan Longoria, not to mention Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez. Whether the move finally earns Cabrera the first All-Star voting nod in his illustrious career depends on how he hits and how voters, well, vote. The first chance for Tigers fans to vote began Friday at MLB.com and tigers.com. Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or via your mobile device -- using the 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, June 28, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Fans can also vote in person at Comerica Park beginning next homestand, starting April 30, and continuing through June 21. Fans can also once again participate in the State Farm Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league whom they would most like to see participate in the State Farm Home Run Derby. The 2012 State Farm Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 9. The 2012 American League and National League All-Star teams will be unveiled on Sunday, July 1, on the 2012 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show, televised nationally on TBS. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the 2012 All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com. And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy. The 2012 All-Star Game will be played at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, July 10. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities. The 83rd All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and Sirius XM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com or royals.com/asg. Four different players have started at third base for the AL All-Stars over the last four years, ending what had been a five-year run for A-Rod. If Cabrera can put up another strong start, as well as keep exceeding expectations at third, he could become the first Tiger to start there since Hall of Famer George Kell in 1957. Fielder, meanwhile, will try to earn the All-Star vote at first that eluded Cabrera, and give himself a chance to repeat his All-Star MVP honors from last year's Midsummer Classic. To crack the starting lineup, he'll have to beat out a field that already added Albert Pujols to compete alongside Boston's Adrian Gonzalez, Yankees star Mark Teixeira, White Sox slugger Paul Konerko and Royals sophomore stud Eric Hosmer. Just as interesting could be the battle at catcher, where Alex Avila will try to repeat his honor as the AL's starting backstop. Unlike last year, Joe Mauer hits the ballot healthy, hoping to retake his throne, while Mike Napoli has the fame of a 30-homer season and postseason glory behind him.

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Fister improves, but unlikely to return until May April 21, 2012 By Anthony Odoardi / MLB.com DETROIT -- It's not much, but manager Jim Leyland had some good news to offer Friday about injured starter Doug Fister. Leyland said Fister was feeling "much better" after suffering a setback on Tuesday. When pitching from the mound for the second time, Fister felt discomfort in his previously strained left rib-cage muscle and was shut down. Pitching coach Jeff Jones said that if Fister feels well Saturday, he can begin playing catch sometime in the next few days. That being said, Leyland also acknowledged that it isn't likely Fister will come off the 15-day disabled list when eligible Monday. He also said there's a good chance Fister won't be back until May. "It certainly looks that way," Leyland said when asked if it was safe to assume Fister won't be back this month. "There was one point we were hoping he could just come back, throw a little bit here and be ready to pitch. But it doesn't look like that's going to play now."

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Struggling Schlereth looking for results April 21, 2012 By Anthony Odoardi / MLB.com DETROIT -- In four of his five appearances this season, Daniel Schlereth has allowed at least one run to score -- although two of them against the White Sox last Friday were unearned. The left-handed reliever insisted he's feeling all right, he just isn't getting the results. "Results-wise, I'm not even close," Schlereth said after getting shelled by the Rangers for five runs on five hits and two walks in one inning. "I don't think any of you have seen me pitch like this. This is the first time I've really dealt with a struggle like this." Schlereth took the mound with two outs in the seventh inning on Thursday and walked a batter, then was helped out by Ramon Santiago making a diving stop at second base. In the eighth, he had no such luck, as the Rangers peppered balls all over the field, adding five runs and pushing the score to 10-1. He could only record two outs and was pulled after allowing an RBI single to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Schlereth's ERA, which previously stood at 4.50, rocketed to 12.60. Manager Jim Leyland said he believes the issues are because of inconsistent command. "I think right now his command is either too bad or too good," Leyland said Thursday. "In other words, he's probably not throwing enough strikes, and when he does, they're probably too good of strikes."

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Penciled in as DH, Boesch downplays ankle April 21, 2012 By Anthony Odoardi / MLB.com DETROIT -- After rolling his left ankle in the last at-bat of Thursday night's 10-3 loss to the Rangers, Brennan Boesch was scheduled for a rest from the outfield Friday night, when he was in the lineup for the first time this season as designated hitter. Boesch didn't get a chance to DH as the game was rained out. The outfielder said he didn't feel pain, but walked off the field limping after trying to beat out a ground ball to second base Thursday night. He also said he's OK and the injury wasn't anything to worry about. "I'm fine to play in the field; it's just I happen to be DH," Boesch said. "Maybe [my ankle] has [something] to do with it, but maybe not. That's not my call, but I'm fine either way." With injuries to Doug Fister and Andy Dirks, it's likely the team wants to be extra careful. And with Boesch batting .341 in 25 career starts at DH, the Tigers had no hesitation to give him a rest. Asked if he'll take any precautions, Boesch said he'll "tape it up before the game for peace of mind, but that's just what that is. Not anything more than that." Worth noting • After a red-hot start, Austin Jackson is 0-for-15 since hitting a leadoff home run in his first at-bat of a three-game series against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Jackson's batting average dropped from .412 prior to that game to .300. • If Tiger Stadium was still standing today, the baseball world would be celebrating the 100-year anniversary of both Fenway Park and the old home of the Tigers. Both opened a century ago on April 20, 1912.

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Detroit twin bill to feature fresh, not-so-rested hurlers Harrison to pitch on seven days' rest; Verlander coming off 131 pitches April 21, 2012 By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com Normally when Justin Verlander is stretched out in a start, he has the benefit of an extra day of rest to recuperate. That won't be the case for the right-hander on Saturday night, though, when the Tigers face off against the hot-hitting Rangers at Comerica Park in a day-night doubleheader. Verlander and Rangers starter Neftali Feliz will pitch the nightcap at 7:05 p.m. ET, while Rick Porcello and Matt Harrison will start the day game, with first pitch set for 1:05 p.m. ET. Friday night's game was postponed due to rain. Tossing 131 pitches to go the distance Monday night against the Royals for the win, Verlander will pitch on normal rest Saturday. While manager Jim Leyland hasn't said what kind of pitch count Verlander will be under, the situation will be somewhat uncharted territory for the ace. He has pitched on normal rest after throwing at least 130 pitches only once. That happened Aug. 6, 2008, in a loss to the White Sox, before being rocked five days later by the Blue Jays. He surrendered six runs on seven hits in just 4 1/3 innings, tossing just 78 pitches in the loss. Yet the Rangers know that underestimating the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner in any situation would be a mistake. "He's one of the best in the game," second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "He's got very good velocity on his fastball, two offspeed pitches that are plus and he can command in the strike zone. He commands all of his pitches. It makes it tough for an offensive player." The Tigers also have that same type of respect for Feliz. In two starts this season, Feliz is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA. He went five innings on Sunday against the Twins, giving up three runs on five hits in a no-decision. "He's just a terrific talent," Leyland said. "He's obviously not coming out there full-barrel anymore like he did when he was coming in to close the game out. When you're starting the game, you've got to pace yourself a little bit. But he's obviously got tremendous stuff." Meanwhile, Harrison will try to keep his hot streak going for Texas in the early game, after starting the 2012 campaign with a 2-0 mark and just one run allowed in his first two starts. Dating back to last season, he is 6-0 with a 2.01 ERA in his past seven regular-season outings. Harrison is pitching on seven days' rest after being pushed back because of the Rangers' off-day on Monday and a rainout on Friday. He's thrown two bullpen sessions between starts to stay fresh. "What's another day?" said Harrison. "I was already pushed back, so one more day won't matter." Porcello has found success this season thanks to his ability to keep the ball down in the strike zone. In his two starts this season, he has induced 18 groundouts, and opponents are hitting just .226 against him. Porcello allowed just one run in 7 2/3 innings against the White Sox on Sunday for the win. "This is probably one of the deepest lineups that we see," Porcello said of the Rangers. "They've got a lot of guys that can do damage. You just got to go out there and make pitches and throw strikes and just do the best you can to keep them off balance. It's a good team. There's not much else you can say." Rangers: Kirkman to get time as starter • Left-hander Michael Kirkman will be in the Triple-A Round Rock rotation. Kirkman, who failed to make the Rangers' bullpen coming out of Spring Training, started for Round Rock on Friday night against the Omaha Storm Chasers. Kirkman has been struggling out of the Express bullpen. He has made five appearances in relief and allowed seven runs on 12 hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings. The Rangers are hoping that extra work as a starter will help Kirkman straighten out his problems. "Looking at Mike's situation with not being consistent to this point, we thought by putting him into the rotation, he would be able to get side work, be able to work from the windup to help his delivery with timing and

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rhythm," Rangers Minor League pitching coordinator Danny Clark said. "This is not long term, and he will not be stretched out over three- to five-inning stints." • Rangers manager Ron Washington is still planning to use Kinsler at designated hitter in the first game on Saturday, and Adrian Beltre will do so in the night game. That will allow Washington to use Michael Young at second base in Game 1 and third base in Game 2. Tigers: Cabrera a Rangers nemesis • Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera has hammered the Rangers throughout his career. He boasts the highest batting average against Texas of any current player. Although he went 1-for-4 on Thursday, Cabrera is hitting .369 against Texas, with eight homers and 45 RBIs. • With his next appearance, Tigers reliever Octavio Dotel will become just the 93rd pitcher in history to appear in 700 games. Worth noting • Harrison has struggled in his career against the Tigers, going 1-4 with a 6.89 ERA in seven games. • The Tigers have won 16 of their past 21 games against the Rangers at Comerica Park during the regular season.

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Royals deal Miner back to Tigers for cash April 21, 2012 By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com KANSAS CITY -- Pitcher Zach Miner is back with the Detroit Tigers. The Royals dealt Miner to the Tigers for cash in a Minor League transaction on Friday. Signed as a free agent, he was a non-roster player in the Royals' Major League Spring Training camp the past two years after coming back from Tommy John elbow surgery in 2010. Miner pitched for Detroit for four seasons from 2006-09, compiling a 25-20 record and 4.24 ERA in 157 games, including 35 starts. After being assigned to Triple-A Omaha in Spring Training, Miner remained in Kansas City's extended spring training camp and had not pitched in the Minors. He had a clause in his contract which enabled him to ask for his release if he was not on the Major League roster by May 15. In 2011, Miner pitched for the Royals' clubs at Double-A Northwest Arkansas (1-6, 7.16 ERA in 11 games) and Triple-A Omaha (2-1, 1.59 ERA in 12 games). The Tigers assigned Miner to Double-A Erie.

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Tigers will play doubleader Saturday April 20, 2012 By Staff / FOXSportsDetroit.com DETROIT -- Friday night’s scheduled game against the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park has been postponed because of rain and impending rain. The game will be made up Saturday as the second game of a split doubleheader, which will begin with the regularly scheduled game at 1:05 p.m. and be followed by the makeup game at 7:05 p.m. Both games will be show on FOX Sports Detroit. Tickets for Friday’s game will be honored for the late game Saturday, and no ticket exchange is necessary. Fans unable to attend the rescheduled game may exchange their unused tickets at any time for a future regular-season non-premium game scheduled to be played within 12 months, excluding Opening Day and subject to availability.

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Fans gather at Tiger Stadium site to celebrate April 21, 2012 By Dave Hogg / FOXSportsDetroit.com DETROIT — Fenway Park had a parade of baseball legends and the glitz and glamour of national television. Tiger Stadium just had some dedicated volunteers on their own version of the Field of Dreams. The small celebration started early on Friday, when members of the Navin Field Grounds Crew mowed the playing field, getting it ready for the day's visitors. As the day went, more and more of them showed up, usually carrying gloves, cameras and memories. "I'm a young guy, but I remember seeing games here as a kid," said Eric Schawinsky of Livonia, who was wearing a Kirk Gibson jersey. "I was here with my parents and my grandparents. I wanted to be here today just to add to my memories." As small groups of families and friends congregated around the ballpark, almost everyone looked up at the flagpole, which still stands in centerfield. Under the giant American flag waved a new addition, an orange and blue flag with the stadium's three names — Navin Field, Briggs Stadium and Tiger Stadium — arranged around an Olde English D. Across the bottom, it read "Celebrating a Century of Memories — 1912-2012." The flag had been raised by Peter Comstock Riley, a former Tiger Stadium employee who has devoted the last 12 years to trying to save the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. "The flag was supposed to be ready a few days ago, and then I got a call that said they couldn't finish it," he said. "Luckily, a group in New Hampshire — some big Red Sox fans — worked around-the-clock to get it done in time." Many of the attendees wished that the Tigers had gotten involved in some way, even if the team hasn't played on the site since 1999. "I know they couldn't do anything like what they were doing at Fenway today, but it is a shame that they couldn't have sent someone over to greet the people that are here," said Joan Moore of Redford. "A lot of volunteers dedicated their time to get the field looking nice today, and all these people have stopped by. It would have been nice for them to do something for that." Mainly, though, it was an excuse to play catch, swing a bat and enjoy old memories.

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Miner returns, joins Double-A Erie April 20, 2012 By Dave Hogg / FOXSPortsDetroit.com DETROIT -- Zach Miner is back with the Tigers organization. The team announced Friday morning that Miner had been acquired from Kansas City for cash considerations. Miner, 30, will report to Double-A Erie to start his second stint with the Tigers. Miner, who pitched briefly for the Tigers in the 2006 World Series, hasn't pitched in the majors since going 7-5 for Detroit as a long reliever in 2009. He missed all of the 2010 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and split 2011 between Kansas City's Double-A and Triple-A teams. He hasn't pitched in 2012. In four seasons with the Tigers, Miner appeared in 157 games (357 innings), going 25-20 with a 4.24 ERA. He has 217 career strikeouts and 145 walks.

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Detroit Tigers Will Need Big Bats of Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder Against Texas Rangers April 21, 2012 By Adam C. Biggers / Yahoo! Sports Miguel Cabrera has absolutely torn apart Texas Rangers pitching over the past three years. The Detroit Tigers' heavy-hitting thirdbaseman has a .405 batting average, five home runs and 27 RBI in 111 at-bats. He's racked up 45 hits, including 12 doubles, against Texas, the American League's two-time defending champions. Detroit (9-4) was hammered 10-3 by the Rangers (11-2) on Thursday night at Comerica Park in Detroit. And if the Tigers have designs on avenging that loss, Cabrera will have to be the Cabrera of old versus the Rangers during Saturday's doubleheader at Comerica. His five home runs are the fourth-most against a non-divisional opponent the past three seasons. He doesn't see Rangers pitchers as often as Kansas City, Minnesota, Chicago or Cleveland hurlers, but he knows what to do against them. But Prince Fielder, the Milwaukee Brewers' former star slugger, needs to contribute, too. Fielder, the son of Tigers legend Cecil Fielder, hasn't had much experience with manager Ron Washington's club. He previously played in the National League, so contending with Texas wasn't commonplace. However, during his limited time facing Texas, Fielder has shown he can hurt its pitching. His stats aren't as impressive as Cabrera's, but Fielder has three home runs in 11 at-bats. His .231 batting average isn't all that threatening -- his .923 slugging percentage is -- but he's struck out just thrice. When Fielder connects with Texas, he does damage. The Rangers lead the big leagues with 79 runs scored. The Tigers, also a high-scoring team, have 61. One would expect fireworks Saturday from each lineup. But so far this series, the Rangers have toted the hot bats. Detroit has the means necessary to swing with Texas -- Fielder and Cabrera will have to lead the way.

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Earth Day In Detroit: Motor City Becomes Cycle City April 21, 2012 By Micheline Maynard / Forbes.com Before Henry Ford made cars, he rode bicycles. And now, bicyclists are staking their claim in the Motor City. Racing enthusiasts have brought back a long-abandoned velodrome. Cycling are gaining members, including one called Grown Men on Bikes, which has its own theme song. It’s easy to find a bike tour and tourism officials even took journalists on a ride around Detroit last year. On Sunday, which is Earth Day, the Detroit Tigers are jumping on the bandwagon. The Tigers’ mascot, Paws, with cyclists who rode to Opening Day 2012/ Courtesy Detroit Tigers The team is hosting its first Ride to the Ballpark event, testing its theory that those people riding around the city also like to go to ball games. “Detroit has a very cool, strong cyclist culture,” Eli Bayless, the Tigers’ director of promotions and in-game operations, told our public media project Changing Gears. The Tigers aren’t the first to do this: the Houston Astros kicked off the bike to the ballpark trend last May, the inspiration for what’s going on in Detroit. But it’s a reflection of how far cycling culture has come in the Motor City. On Sunday, the Tigers are offering a $14 package that includes an upper deck ticket to the game, and a ticket for a bicycle valet. Cyclists will pull up to Columbia Plaza in front of Comerica Park’s Gate A entrance, to check their bikes, and collect them after the game. To keep count on how many are coming, tickets must be purchased by midnight Friday: there will be no same-day Ride to the Ballpark sales. As of Thursday, more than 100 people had already bought their tickets, said Bayless, and the team hopes to attract about 250 people total. Now, you might be surprised to hear that cycling is so popular in Detroit. But it has a lot of fans, including members of the Tigers organization who live downtown and bike to work. One of them is Mike Smith, the team’s director of baseball operations, who cycles over every day from his apartment on Detroit’s riverfront. He stashes his bike in his office. When there isn’t a game at Comerica Park, Smith can be found zipping his way over to Belle Isle park for soccer games, and riding on the city’s bike paths and in its greenway. Although many Detroit streets and neighborhoods are empty, that’s great for cycling, Smith says. “The trade off is that you won’t get hit by a car.” Bayless, the promotions manager, says the Tigers are hoping Sunday’s ride will become an annual event — and that cyclists will come out to games on a regular basis. He says the team is looking at hosting future rides with the city’s bike clubs and is counting on them for feedback. With all this cycling going on in Detroit, maybe Henry Ford should have kept his bike going.

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Tiger Stadium would also have been 100 today April 21, 2012 By Dayn Perry / CBSSports.com As our own Danny Knobler recently noted, the late, great Tiger Stadium in Detroit shares a birthdate with Fenway Park in Boston. Tiger hasn't been home to the Detroit Tigers since 1999, and hasn't existed in any meaningful sense since 2009. But even in memory -- especially in memory -- the ballpark at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull remains one of the best ever built. While the Tiger organization is in fine shape these days and Comerica Park is a nice place to see a game, one wonders whether the Tigers -- and the city -- would do things differently if they could rewind time. After all, Fenway and Wrigley are large parts of two of the most successful team brands in all of sports. Tiger was certainly their equal in terms of historical appeal and a providing a transporting baseball experience. Too late for all that, though. In celebration and mourning, the Detroit Free Press has a wonderful Tiger Stadium photo gallery that's worth your while. Happy birthday to you, too, Tiger Stadium.

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Friday, April 20, 2012

Team Player Transaction

Baltimore Orioles John Hester Released

Chicago Cubs Kerry Wood Placed on 15-Day DL, (Right shoulder fatigue)

Chicago Cubs Scott Maine Called Up from Minors

Cleveland Indians David Huff Sent to Minors, For Rehabilitation

Detroit Tigers Zach Miner Traded From, Kansas City (for cash considerations)

Milwaukee Brewers Chris Narveson Placed on 15-Day DL, (Torn left rotator cuff)

Milwaukee Brewers Mike McClendon Called Up from Minors

Oakland Athletics Neil Wagner Sent to Minors

Oakland Athletics Rich Thompson Acquired Off Waivers From, Los Angeles

Seattle Mariners Chris Pettit Signed to a Minor League Contract

St. Louis Cardinals Lance Berkman Placed on 15-Day DL, (Strained left calf)

St. Louis Cardinals Skip Schumaker Removed From 15-Day DL, (Torn right oblique muscle)

St. Louis Cardinals Skip Schumaker Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Tampa Bay Rays B.J. Upton Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Tampa Bay Rays B.J. Upton Removed From 15-Day DL, (Lower back strain)

Tampa Bay Rays Stephen Vogt Sent to Minors

Tampa Bay Rays Reid Brignac Sent to Minors

Toronto Blue Jays Jesse Litsch Transferred to 60-Day DL, (Right shoulder tendinitis)

Toronto Blue Jays Drew Hutchison Purchased From Minors

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Team Player Transaction

Arizona Diamondbacks Takashi Saito Sent to Minors, For Rehabilitation

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Atlanta Braves Anthony Varvaro Sent to Minors, For Rehabilitation

Baltimore Orioles Tsuyoshi Wada Sent to Minors, For Rehabilitation

Los Angeles Angels Erick Aybar Signed, ( 2013-2016)(four-year extension)

New York Yankees Cody Eppley Called Up from Minors

New York Yankees Nelson Figueroa Signed to a Minor League Contract

New York Yankees Brett Gardner Placed on 15-Day DL, (Sore right elbow)

Tampa Bay Rays Robinson Chirinos Transferred to 60-Day DL, (Concussion)

Tampa Bay Rays Brandon Allen Acquired Off Waivers From, Oakland

Toronto Blue Jays Evan Crawford Sent to Minors

Washington Nationals Ivan Rodriguez Retired

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Team Player Transaction

Arizona Diamondbacks A.J. Pollock Purchased From Minors

Arizona Diamondbacks Brent Clevlen Signed to a Minor League Contract

Arizona Diamondbacks Chris Young Placed on 15-Day DL, (Right shoulder contusion)

Arizona Diamondbacks Geoff Blum Placed on 15-Day DL, (Strained left oblique)

Arizona Diamondbacks Cody Ransom Purchased From Minors

Arizona Diamondbacks Daniel Stange Released

Boston Red Sox Junichi Tazawa Called Up from Minors

Boston Red Sox Mark Melancon Sent to Minors

Cleveland Indians Jeanmar Gomez Suspension Announced By League, (five games)

Minnesota Twins Luke Hughes Designated for Assignment

Minnesota Twins Jason Marquis Called Up from Minors

Pittsburgh Pirates Brad Lincoln Called Up from Minors

Pittsburgh Pirates Jeff Karstens Placed on 15-Day DL, (Right shoulder inflammation)

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Tampa Bay Rays Lance Pendleton Signed to a Minor League Contract