An Infusion of Mud Hens

The Toledo-to-Detroit I-75 shuttle was busy this afternoon, as the Tigers shuffled the roster quite a bit to cover players requiring a trip to the disabled list.  As expected, shortstop Ramon Santiago was placed on the 15-day DL after separating his shoulder Wednesday in Oakland.  Taking his place will be Michael Hollimon, who's mostly played second base with the Mud Hens this season, but has played plenty of games at shortstop, which was also his position in college.  I don't know how much he'll get to play in the utility infielder role, but I'm looking forward to seeing him in action as he's could have a future in Detroit's middle infield.

Also going on the 15-day DL is Clete Thomas, who sprained his ankle while stretching toward second base on Tuesday night.  Filling his spot on the roster is a player who's been lighting it up in Toledo, Brent Clevlen.  In his last 10 games, Clevlen batted .457 (16-for-35) with six home runs and 19 RBIs.  For the season, he's hitting .324/.417/.620 with 13 homers and 55 RBIs in 247 plate appearances.  If the Tigers give him an opportunity to play, you have to wonder if this might be his last real shot to stick in the major leagues.  The time seems right for Clevlen, as Detroit has a need for a regular left fielder and his run as a prospect might be reaching its end in the organization.

Someone coming off the disabled list is Denny Bautista, who just completed his rehab assignment with Toledo in which he didn't allow a run and posted seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.  He'll take Aquilino Lopez's spot, as he's leaving the team to attend to a family illness.  Lopez will be placed on the bereavement list, which will keep him off the roster for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven.  I guess we'll have to wait and see whether or not Lopez remains on the major league roster once he returns, as he hasn't been pitching very well recently.