Granderson on the mend can begin activities Monday

04/06/2008 8:43 PM ET
Granderson on the mend
X-rays show center fielder's broken hand healing
By Scott McNeish / MLB.com

DETROIT -- Finally some good news for the Tigers.

Center fielder and leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson received positive results Sunday night from an X-ray on his broken right hand. The exam showed sufficient healing, and Granderson can begin baseball activities on Monday.

"It looks like a hand again," Granderson said.

The team could not give a timetable for his return to the lineup. Granderson has said he won't think about it until he can swing and miss without pain.

Granderson has been on the 15-day disabled list since being hit by a high-and-tight fastball from Phillies pitcher Travis Blackley in a Spring Training game March 22.

The Tigers offense has looked out of sync, and the absence of Granderson, who finished 10th in last year's American League Most Valuable Player voting, could be a major reason. In his third season, Granderson became the second Major League player to post at least 30 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season, a feat Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins achieved soon after.

"He ignites your offense," manager Jim Leyland said of Granderson. "I think Cleveland misses having [Victor] Martinez in there. I think the Mets will miss having Pedro Martinez in there. And the Tigers miss having Curtis Granderson in there."

However, Leyland would not say the Tigers need him in order to restore offensive rhythm.

"When you start leaning toward that stuff, you're leaning toward the excuse mode, and we don't do that here," Leyland said. "Certainly there's enough professional hitters, and there's enough ammunition here.

"If we can't win a game without Curtis, then we're not as good as I thought we were."

Granderson acknowledged the job done by his replacements in center field. Rookie Clete Thomas leads the team with a .500 batting average, and Brandon Inge, arguably the team's MVP so far, has hit .375, two home runs and has a team-high four RBIs while also filling in at third base for Miguel Cabrera.

But Granderson's return could shake up the roster. It's perceived Thomas will be optioned to Triple-A Toledo, and Inge, with Cabrera back healthy, will likely return to his role of bench utility man and backup catcher.

"We'll just have to see what happens with all that," Leyland said.

Scott McNeish is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Hooray!

Clete was our guy too! He was doing the best out of all of 'em!

Quote :

It's perceived Thomas will be optioned to Triple-A Toledo

BOOOOOOOO!!

Now when they ask Leland what he will do when Grandy gets back,

Quote :

It's perceived Thomas will be
optioned to Triple-A Toledo, and Inge, with Cabrera back healthy, will
likely return to his role of bench utility man and backup catcher.

How about sending one of our overpaid, underproducing players down, Jim!

That's really sad for Brandon! He played his off and has to sit on the bench when Miggy is back.

Miggy still has to prove he's worth the money he gets! I'm really disappointed for now. I really hope his bat will be on fire soon!

swiss_tiger wrote:

That's really sad for Brandon! He played his off and has to sit on the bench when Miggy is back.

Miggy still has to prove he's worth the money he gets! I'm really disappointed for now. I really hope his bat will be on fire soon!

It seems an awful lot to pay out for somebody that is not eager and not hitting...hey, wait! that's ALL of 'em nearly!

I was listening to Mr. Dombrowski last night when the espn guys were interviewing him and he says he expects Curtis back in 10 days??!! Does anyone else find this a bit quick?

Does seem too soon for a broken bone.

Esp since said it was heal-ING, not heal-ED!!!

SoulRat wrote:

I was listening to Mr. Dombrowski last night when the espn guys were interviewing him and he says he expects Curtis back in 10 days??!! Does anyone else find this a bit quick?

Well that would be 15 days and he was on the 15-day DL. I don't think it's too soon. It's not like an arm or leg, it's just a finger.

That's true.

Why won't send :grilli: to Toledo? Keep

Don't we have 13 pitchers on the team right now?

gs78 wrote:

Don't we have 13 pitchers on the team right now?

Yes and only 2 reserves for the field. If they send Clete down, that is plain stupid.

What is thinking?

that's just it...he's not!

He better start! We getting in a hole!

that we can't seem to get out of!

now Boston players are getting their WS rings tonight...then we play 'em!! Who is the hungrier for a win?

gs78 wrote:

Why won't send :grilli: to Toledo? Keep

Why would you do that to a nice town like Toledo??

This is not a hole, its a Chasm!!

tigersaint wrote:

gs78 wrote:

Why won't send :grilli: to Toledo? Keep

Why would you do that to a nice town like Toledo??

yeah, Grilli can stay out but Clete's good!

04/23/2008 4:04 PM ET
Granderson to make season debut
Star leadoff hitter returns to Tigers lineup vs. Rangers
By Scott McNeish / MLB.com

DETROIT -- The Tigers have their sparkplug back.

Following time on the disabled list and five Minor League rehab games, center fielder Curtis Granderson will make his season debut on Wednesday night against the Rangers at Comerica Park.

To make room on the roster for their star leadoff hitter, the Tigers optioned outfielder Clete Thomas to Triple-A Toledo.

Granderson started the season on the 15-day disabled list after a high-and-tight fastball fractured the metacarpal bone beneath the middle finger on his right hand late in Spring Training.

Granderson batted .350 (7-for-20) in his five rehab games with Class A West Michigan and Toledo, but complained of sore legs. Granderson told Tigers manager Jim Leyland before Wednesday's game that the soreness has subsided enough for him to start in center and bat leadoff.

Granderson's return should give the Tigers' offense a healthy boost. In his second full Major League season, Granderson batted over .300 and became one of four players in Major League history to hit 20 home runs, 20 doubles, 20 triples and steal 20 bases in a single season. His performance earned him a 10th-place finish in last year's American League Most Valuable Player voting.

Thomas, who before this season never played above Double-A, impressed in his first Major League stint. He hit .295 with four doubles, a triple and five RBIs while filling in for Granderson.

Scott McNeish is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

I'm gonna miss Clete! Will go to Mud Hens games just to see him and get his autograph!

Back with TYPICAL Grandy flair!!

Curtis we missed ya sooooo!

Our "MOJO" has returned!!