Tigers release Inge, call up Eldred

Tigers release Inge, call up Eldred
By Paul Casella / MLB.com | 04/26/12 4:30 PM ET

Longtime Tigers infielder Brandon Inge was released by the club Thursday after his 2011 struggles carried over into the start of this season. First baseman Brad Eldred has been called up from Triple-A Toledo.

Inge is off to a 2-for-20 start at the plate in nine games in his 12th season in the Majors, all of which have been spent with the Tigers. The 34-year-old Inge hit .197 last season, his lowest average since posting a .180 mark in 79 games in his debut season in 2001.

Prior to last season, Inge had recorded double-digit home run totals in seven consecutive seasons. He crushed a career-high 27 homers in 2006, helping the Tigers reach the World Series for the first time since 1984. He matched that total in '09 when he also recorded a career-best 84 RBIs and made his lone All-Star appearance.

For his career, Inge has a .234 average with 140 home runs and 589 RBIs.

Paul Casella is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @paul_casella. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.