Detroit Tigers Links: Andy Dirks Scratched from Rehab Start, Omar Infante Feels "At Home" in Detroit

Andy Dirks was scratched from a rehab start yesterday, Omar Infante feels like he's back home in Detroit, and Cole Hamels signs a 6-year $144 million extension. These stories and still more trade rumors in today's Morning Prowl.

Detroit Tigers' Andy Dirks removed from Toledo lineup due to soreness, expected to play Thursday - MLive, Chris Iott
I like the patience we're seeing with Dirks' recovery so far and still think we're looking at a return in early-to-mid August. There's no rush with the recent uptick in production from the corner outfield spots.

'I feel like I'm home,' Infante says; Sanchez also welcomed by Tigers - The Detroit News, Lynn Henning
"Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez walked into the dressing room and a Welcome to Detroit party broke out a day after they had been traded by the Marlins to the Tigers."

Are The Tigers Done Now? - Motor City Bengals, John Verburg
I hope so. I'm not sure that any of the names being floated around the rumor mill right now provide much of an upgrade over getting Andy Dirks back into the lineup on a consistent basis.

The Tigers Must Make Another Trade - DesigNate Robertson
Serious Rogo confuses me somewhat (kind of like when Delmon Young walks), but makes great points about some of the possible names available.

Commentary: Tigers make right move at right time - The Detroit News, Kurt Mensching
FIRE KIRT MAHNSHING

Around the AL Central:

Royals Turn Back The Clock To 2009 In Another Loss - Royals Review, Craig Brown
"It was perhaps the most Royal game in this, the most Royal season."

Twins 2, White Sox 8: Blackburn's Day Cut Short By Being a Bad Pitcher - Twinkie Town
"What can I even say about Nick Blackburn that hasn't been said a hundred times before? He's not a very good pitcher, and today was another exhibition of why that statement continues to be made."

White Sox 8, Twins 2: Peavy sweeps Twins out of town - South Side Sox
"Every offensive Sox starter had a hit in the game."

Elsewhere in Baseball:

Vi Ripken, mother of Cal Ripken Jr. abducted at gunpoint, located unharmed - The Baltimore Sun
Mrs. Ripken was returned 12 hours after her kidnapping and was thankfully unharmed. I'd be surprised if the assailant knew who she was, given how revered her son is around the city of Baltimore.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has some tough decisions ahead - ESPN, Jerry Crasnick
Dave Dombrowski is in a similar position as Amaro Jr., especially if the Tigers offer Anibal Sanchez a contract extension after this season.

Hanley Ramirez traded to Dodgers in late-night blockbuster - Big League Stew, David Brown
I still think this is going to be one heck of a lopsided trade when all is said and done. HanRam seems like a classic "change of scenery" case and might break out with a vengeance in Los Angeles.

J.P. Arencibia out six weeks after fracturing right hand - HardballTalk, Drew Silva.
Another hit for the Blue Jays, the Tigers' next opponent. Jose Bautista headlines a long list of injured players that will likely miss the series for Toronto.

Will Cubs find new home for rejuvenated Soriano? - Fox Sports, Jon Paul Morosi
I'd be more receptive to this idea if Soriano wasn't under contract for $18 million per year through 2014. Seriously, what an awful extension that was.