Luis Mendoza (0-2, 9.00) vs. Kenny Rogers (1-3, 6.33)

Between allowing just three runs over 6 2/3 innings to the Jays in his last start, the lineup put eight runs on the board for him, Kenny Rogers finally got himself a win over the weekend in Toronto.  That ended a season-opening three-game losing streak (in which he had zero runs scored for him).  In his career against the Rangers, Rogers has a 6-3 record and 3.80 ERA.

Luis Mendoza makes only his second start of the season, after beginning the year on the disabled list with a blister on his pitching hand.  Last time out, the Red Sox pounded him for seven runs in just three innings (though Mendoza didn't help his cause with three walks).  This will be the first time he's faced the Tigers.  

Curtis Granderson probably picked the right night to return to the Tigers' lineup, as left-handers bat .346 against Mendoza.  He steps back into his usual spots in center field and batting leadoff.  (Clete Thomas boards the I-75 shuttle to Toledo to open up a roster spot.)  So Detroit is one step closer to seeing the batting order we've been anticipating since December.  Gary Sheffield just needs to recuperate from the cortisone shots he took to each of his shoulders, and these Tigers might finally get to show all their teeth.  Placido Polanco will also sit out one more night while medication reduces inflammation in his lower back.

And would you believe after all the hullabaloo with Carlos Guillen and Miguel Cabrera switching defensive positions, we won't even get to see either player across the diamond tonight?  With Sheffield still out, Cabrera will be the designated hitter.  Thus, Guillen will play first base for at least one more night, while Brandon Inge starts at third base.  And at second base, the slugging Ramon Santiago fills in for Polanco.

As expected, Curtis Granderson will rejoin the Detroit Tigers lineup tonight, stepping into his regular spots in center field and the leadoff spot of the batting order.  (He reminisces about that rehab assignment today on his ESPN.com blog.)

With Granderson's inevitable return, the question became who would get squeezed off the roster to clear a spot for him.  Maybe it was obvious all along that Clete Thomas would draw the short straw, based on his available minor league options and the investment that the Tigers have made in veterans Jacque Jones and Marcus Thames.  Plus, Ryan Raburn already had to shuttle down I-75 to Toledo earlier in the year when Francis Beltran was called up.  His versatility probably makes him a little more appealing to Jim Leyland at this point.

Sure enough, that's exactly what happened this afternoon, as Thomas was optioned to Triple-A while Granderson was activated.  I understand it's really the only decision the Tigers could make, especially this early in the season, but I still think it kind of stinks.  And not just because it affects the ever-growing profile of Clete's Cult.  Before the Tigers began playing up to their capabilities and expectations, Thomas provided one of the few shining lights when things were looking particularly grim earlier this month.  I also like his left-handed bat in the lineup, especially when it's providing more punch than Jones had been until recently.  

But if the Tigers had come out of Spring Training healthy to begin the season, Thomas would've been with the Mud Hens and we might not realize what kind of player he is anyway (other than knowing that Leyland was impressed with him in Lakeland).  But I don't think we've seen the last of Clete in Detroit this year, especially if Jones doesn't start pushing his batting average far above .200 and maybe start showing a little home run pop.