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.

What, we worry?

Following a horrifying Spring Training, Dontrelle Willis facing a rugged (despite horrible choices in facial hair) White Sox lineup had all the makings of a Saturday afternoon horror show.  It wasn't pretty, as Willis gave up seven walks in five innings, showing that the control problems he had in Lakeland are still a significant issue.  But he was effective, allowing only one hit, which is what the Tigers needed out of him.

But there's one big question mark the D-Train is dragging behind him right now, and that's his injury status. From the way he was shaking his hand and looking at it after his last few pitches to Orlando Cabrera, I wonder if maybe he developed a problem with a blister or fingernail.  If it's something worse, like a shoulder or forearm, Willis shouldn't try to be a tough guy and fight through it.  That's exactly the sort of thing that got the pitching staff in trouble last season.  With Monday's off-day, the Tigers could skip Willis's next turn if he needs it.

The Kid Stays in the Picture?

Depending on how Curtis Granderson is healing from his broken hand, the Tigers could be facing a tough decision with the sweet-swinging Clete Thomas.  Sure, it's a small sample size and maybe he's taking advantage of opposing pitchers' unfamiliarity with him right now, but after four games (14 at-bats), Clete's average is an impressive .500/.500/.571.  He's been playing well enough to reduce Ryan Raburn to an afterthought in the Tigers' current plans, and has really been the only consistent bat in Detroit's lineup since getting promoted to the starting lineup.

Will Clete eventually get squeezed out in a roster crunch?  Probably.  This early in the season, the Tigers likely weren't going to choose him over Jacque Jones, and Jones' bat is beginning to show some life, anyway.  And Clete is surely better off getting regular at-bats with Toledo, rather than cooling on the bench in Detroit.  But in what's been a frustrating, baffling opening week for the Tigers, at least there's been a fun story to follow.

Brandon Inge won't make that decision process any easier, either.  Can the Tigers afford to take his bat (.375/.474/.875, two home runs, four RBIs) out of the lineup right now?

He Can Be Center Field

Before the season began, I was trading instant messages with Kurt of Mack Avenue Tigers, and we wondered what the White Sox were thinking in making Nick Swisher their starting center fielder.  With the big center fields in the AL Central, how many extra-base hits would the Sox give up?  Obviously, I didn't know what the hell I was talking about.  Swisher was everywhere yesterday, snaring balls at the warning track and waiting for anything the Tigers hit into the gap.

If It's Any Consolation...

If I told you that the Cleveland Indians are also nursing a losing streak, having lost three in a row while also struggling with their bats, is that something that might interest you?

Once again, Billfer has tapped me on the shoulder to inform me of the latest roster news.  (Hey, I was working on another post, which will go up shortly.)  In what seems like kind of a head-scratching move (at least to me), the Detroit Tigers have put outfielder Freddy Guzman on waivers.

This would seem to eliminate from consideration for the final position player spot on the 25-man roster, but Jon Paul Morosi says that's not necessarily the case.  If no team claims Guzman off waivers, his rights would revert back to the Tigers and they could send him to Triple-A Toledo to begin the season.

Of course, this fuels speculation that Clete Thomas could get that final roster spot.  After not hearing much about the kid throughout Spring Training, suddenly he's the apple of Jim Leyland's eye.  Last year with Double-A Erie, Thomas hit .280/.359/.405 with eight home runs, 53 RBI, and 18 stolen bases in 599 plate appearances.

The Tigers could also decide, however, to keep Dane Sardinha as a back-up catcher.  And a trade is always a possibility, as well.

UPDATE (6 p.m.):  Guzman's taken quite a tumble in the past 24 hours.  After he cleared waivers this afternoon, the Tigers sent him to Double-A Erie, not Toledo, so players like Brent Clevlen could get the majority of playing time with the Mud Hens.

  Who is Clete Thomas?  Apparently, he could be the outfielder who replaces Curtis Granderson while he's out with an injury.

Both Jon Paul Morosi and Danny Knobler have reported that the rookie has made quite an impression on Jim Leyland, thus compelling Mack Avenue Tigers and Tiger Tales to post some background on the young man.  A left-handed bat who can play some center field would fit in nicely right now.

  In this morning's Detroit News, Lynn Henning has some revelatory quotes from Jim Leyland on yesterday's release of Tim Byrdak.  The biggie?

"When you're hoping a major-league pitcher throws strikes, in most cases he probably doesn't belong on your team."

  In lieu of that remark, where does that leave Dontrelle Willis?  Pittsburgh's Jack Wilson (who, thankfully, is still in Pittsburgh) had good things to say about the movement on Willis's pitches, though.

  Denny Bautista's excellent spring has been rewarded with some responsibility.  When the Tigers open the season, he'll be the bullpen's eighth-inning man.  (At this point, was there any other place to pitch him?)

  The Daily Fungo has updates on more than a dozen former Detroit Tigers and the teams they're currently with.  When did Milwaukee become a haven for failed Tigers prospects?  

  Sports Illustrated is picking the Tigers to win the 2008 World Series?  Is that good or bad?  Well, at least they're not on the cover of SI's baseball preview, so the jinx is presumably not in effect.  (Isn't it interesting, by the way, that each of the young superstars on the cover play in the National League?)

  Also previewing your 2008 Detroit Tigers is ESPN.com.  Did they really not mention the bullpen as one of the Tigers' weaknesses?  How about that?  (via The Cutoff Man)

  Hey, I think we have a trend!  USA Today has also published its preview of the AL Central, and favors the Tigers nicely while featuring Magglio Ordonez.

  In anticipation of the Opening Day collision between the Tigers and Kansas City Royals, Royals Authority analyzes the Detroit lineup.

  This is a few days old, so maybe you've already seen this, but Big League Stew ranked each of the ballparks they visited this spring, and Joker Marchant Stadium comes out looking good.