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Brandon Inge was placed on the 15-day disabled list, the Tigers report this morning. That means the Tigers have their 25 man roster in place as they make preparations to fly north tonight.
Inge was placed on the DL retroactive to March 30. Officially the reason is "left groin strain." Inge apparently suffered the injury late last week and has been unable to play since then.
The Detroit News' beat writer Lynn Henning quoted Inge in a story yesterday:
"I don't have a lot of pain right now, but it's tight."
This roster decision should come as no surprise to the readers of Bless You Boys, because it was so telegraphed and obvious the entire time you just knew he would end up on the DL rather than a "tough" decision being made before the team left Florida. According to some reports out there, the Tigers continue to try to trade Inge.
The Inge news means Clete Thomas, Andy Dirks and Danny Worth will all be heading to Detroit for opening day. Thomas has not played a major league game since Oct. 6, 2009. Since then, he suffered a knee injury and underwent surgery. So it's a happy story for him to work through everything to get back to the majors. He has has hit right-handed pitching well this spring; don't let him face a lefty.
However, when the Tigers bring Drew Smyly up from the Toledo Mud Hens to pitch on April 12, it's likely either Thomas or Dirks will be the player on the short end of the stick. Thomas is out of options. Dirks is not. Maybe this is an extended trial for the two. Maybe one or the other was in the plans all along.
Worth is just keeping Inge's spot on the roster warm, despite out-playing the veteran Tiger all spring and being more versatile in the field.
In effect, today's roster moves are a nice way of kicking the can a little further down the sidewalk. There will definitely be news to come in the future.