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Moving Dirks to DL, Tigers gain flexibility
By Anthony Odoardi / MLB.com | 06/03/12 1:00 PM ET

DETROIT -- The Tigers entered Sunday's series finale against the Yankees short-handed, but manager Jim Leyland had a little more flexibility with his lineup, as outfielder Andy Dirks was placed on the 15-day disabled list and outfielder Matt Young's contract was purchased from Triple-A Toledo.

Dirks had been dealing with right Achilles tendinitis since Detroit's series at Boston and had missed four consecutive games. The 26-year-old underwent an MRI exam and X-rays on Friday, and the results revealed bursitis and tendinitis, which Dirks said was nothing unexpected. Dirks had been feeling better the past two days, but the tendon apparently wasn't healing quickly enough.

After Dirks was evaluated on Sunday morning, the outfielder and Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand walked into Leyland's office, where the decision was likely made.

Young, who is batting .259 with 16 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 51 games for the Mud Hens, was removed from Friday night's game and was reportedly seen hugging teammates.

Although the Tigers lose a hitter in Dirks who was batting .328, the move at least gives Leyland two players available off the bench and prevents the skipper from having to do anything drastic, like put Danny Worth in the outfield.

With Ramon Santiago pinch-hitting for Don Kelly in the bottom of the ninth inning during Saturday night's 4-3 walk-off win, Worth was preparing to start the 10th inning in left field, where he hasn't roamed since playing eight games there during his freshman year at Pepperdine.

"Coach told me, 'I've got to get you in the lineup somehow,'" Worth said. "I might go out in BP now for fly balls once a week. That's going to be in the back of my mind now."

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

Crosby, Young optioned to make room for Weber, Fister
BECK'S BLOG
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 12:05 am

Tigers manager Jim Leyland wasn’t sure how rookie left-hander Casey Crosby would react to starting on extended rest. His wild outing Friday night brought a reaction from the Tigers, who optioned him back to Triple-A Toledo for more seasoning.

Outfielder Matt Young was also optioned to Toledo.

The Young move opened the spot the Tigers needed to activate Doug Fister from the 15-day disabled list in time for his scheduled start Saturday afternoon. The Crosby move created room forThad Weber, who was recalled from the Hens as an extra reliever for the weekend. For Saturday, at least, the Tigers will have to fill innings without closer Jose Valverde, setup man Joaquin Benoit and hard-throwing right-hander Brayan Villarreal.

“We’re really short for tomorrow,” Leyland said after the game. “We’ve got major problems.”

No decision has been made on how the Tigers will proceed with their rotation, team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said, which suggests they weren’t planning this initially. With an off-day Monday, they could go with four starters until next Sunday at Pittsburgh, when they would need a fifth starter the rest of the way to the All-Star break.

Their other injured starter, Drew Smyly, won’t be eligible for come off the DL in time to fill the spot next Sunday.

Crosby took Fister’s rotation spot after he aggravated his left side strain in a Memorial Day start at Boston. His rookie jitters didn’t help in his Major League debut against the Yankees, who hit him for six runs on just four hits in 3 1/3 innings with four walks June 1. He was significant more composed six days later against Cleveland, but his wildness returned Friday night, walking three of the first 12 Rockies he faced.

He recovered from a two-run third inning to enter the fourth with a lead thanks to a Tigers rally, but a two-run homer from Chris Nelson and an ensuing four-pitch walk to Dexter Fowler brought manager Jim Leyland out for the pitching change.

Crosby took a no-decision, giving up four runs on six hits over 3 1/3 innings with four walks and four walks.

“In fairness, he hasn’t done terrible,” Leyland said. “I think if you’re judging it from a professional perspective, he’s not ready. He’s got 93, 94, 95 [mph] in there, but I think he’s a little concerned about being able to throw it over at that velocity. And so, until he can conquer that, I think his bullpen sessions will be important.”

Quick hits
By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 07/03/12 7:38 PM ET

• To make room for left-hander Darin Downs on the 40-man roster, the Tigers designated outfielder/second baseman Matt Young's contract for assignment. Young spent a stretch in Detroit last month before being optioned to Triple-A Toledo. If Young clears waivers in the coming days, the Tigers can outright his contract to Toledo. He's batting .251 (50-for-199) with 11 extra-base hits, 20 RBIs and 13 steals with the Mud Hens this year, though 53 walks bump his on-base percentage to .410.

Minor Moves: Tim Redding, Matt Young

By Mike Axisa [August 11, 2012 at 6:55pm CST]
Let's keep track of the day's minor transactions right here...

• The Blue Jays have released Tim Redding according to the Pacific Coast League transactions page. Toronto signed
  the veteran right-hander during the offseason. Redding, 34, pitched to
  an 8.66 ERA in seven starts and 16 relief appearances with their
  Triple-A affiliate this year.
  
• The Tigers have released Matt Young according to the International League transactions page. The 29-year-old had one double and nine strikeouts in ten at-bats with Detroit earlier this season, but they designated him for assignment and then outrighted him last month. Young hit .212/.363/.276 in 369 Triple-A plate appearances this season.