Tom Gage wonders if Carlos Guillen could return to the Tigers' roster as soon as Friday. It will depend on how he plays with the Mud Hens over the next two games, but if Guillen looks okay - and he says his shoulder feels better - that move could be made pretty soon.
Other injury updates are passed along by Jason Beck: Joel Zumaya "doesn't feel very good," according to Jim Leyland. Nate Robertson played long toss for about 100 throws yesterday. And Jeremy Bonderman threw in the bullpen for about five minutes and said he felt "a lot freer."
After last night's collision with the right-center field scoreboard, the Mariners' Franklin Gutierrez says he "feels good." Seattle's training staff initially feared Gutierrez might have suffered a broken collarbone or wrist, or separated shoulder, but he's got a bruised left knee, elbow, and ribs to show for the impact.
Gutierrez said that he knew he was going to hit the wall hard, but "had to take a chance to get that fly ball." That's a guy you have to stand up and clap for, Seattle.
Mack Avenue Tigers doesn't think the team's future looks all that good, but ponders whether Rick Porcello could play a role in changing that, either with the Tigers or as a trade chip to help the team get a key piece or help restock the minor league system.
Who will start the second game of Friday's doubleheader versus the White Sox? (Originally, I believe Edwin Jackson was scheduled.) Jim Leyland isn't saying, other than acknowledging that the pitcher isn't currently on the Tigers' roster, but an announcement will probably be made on Wednesday.
Steve Kornacki thinks Eddie Bonine (2-4, 4.67) or Chris Lambert (4-7, 3.94) could be the guy.
Danny Knobler writes about the dilemma the Tigers still face regarding Magglio Ordonez. Do they hang on, and hope he can turn his season around, like David Ortiz and Derrek Lee have? Or is he a guy, as a scout observed, who isn't even driving the ball in batting practice?
For all the interest in Roy Halladay, do the Toronto Blue Jays have other players worth trading at the deadline? Jon Paul Morosi highlights six current Jays that could help a playoff team, and while he doesn't mention the Tigers specifically, Toronto could be a place to look for bullpen help, if needed.
If you've been following along BigJP at Always a Tiger (where he's been writing some good stuff worth reading), he's moved over to some new digs. You can now find John blogging about Detroit's baseball team at Tiger Tracks. (Note to self: Change the blogroll accordingly.)
SI.com's Tim Marchman thinks Matt Holliday would still make a fine addition to any team in the playoff race. He may not be an elite player, but is still putting up solid numbers (.280/.372/.448, 11 HR, 53 RBI) that could help a contender out.
It's highly unlikely that such a deal would be made between AL Central rivals, but in a post for Fangraphs, R.J. Anderson writes that a playoff contender should look at Carl Pavano for some lower-cost pitching help. (Ken Rosenthal says Pavano's not drawing much interest, however.) He's certainly looked great against the Tigers this season.