Injuries are piling up

As injuries are piling up, the Tigers provided background on the absence of some players today.

Jose Iglesias has frequently been rested due to sore legs, but is in tonight's lineup.  Miguel Cabrera has also missed many games due to his lingering hip and/or abdominal issues but is starting tonight.

Danny Worth is out with a shoulder injury sustained when diving for a ground ball on September 6.  He was the longest of long shots to make the playoff roster.  With Iglesias and Cabrera needing rest, Santiago has received time at shortstop and Kelly at third base.  Infielder Hernan Perez is also on the roster.  Worth was limited to 86 games in the minors this season due to injuries.  He will be hard pressed to find a role next season at age 28 and with many young infield prospects in the system.

Jeremy Bonderman has been battling a sore thumb since allowing five runs in one inning in Boston twelve days ago.   In his first nine outings out of the bullpen he had provided over fourteen innings and only allowed four earned runs.  He is a candidate for the last bullpen spot in the postseason.

Bruce Rondon is dealing with the dreaded "tender elbow".  Bruce has been a valuable member of the bullpen in the second half with a 2.41 ERA, 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings, and 1.23 WHIP.  Rondon last appeared two weeks ago when he had two big strikeouts in the eighth inning of a win against Boston.  A healthy Rondon would appear to be in line for a playoff roster spot.

The Tigers hope to have Bonderman and Rondon test their arms in the next couple days.