Tigers opt for bullpen help with Inge on DL

Tigers opt for bullpen help with Inge on DL
Detroit recalls right-hander Fien to replace third baseman

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

07/20/10 1:12 PM ET

DETROIT -- For now, the Tigers will be replacing injured third baseman Brandon Inge with some help for a tired bullpen. Detroit placed Inge on the 15-day disabled list and recalled right-hander Casey Fien from Triple-A Toledo Tuesday afternoon to provide an extra arm while it ponders what to do at third base.

Inge is expected to be out 4-6 weeks after fracturing a bone in his left hand Monday night against the Rangers.

After Monday's 14-inning 8-6 loss to Texas, a fourth-inning exit from Andy Oliver Sunday afternoon and a day-night doubleheader that included another extra-inning game Saturday, Detroit's bullpen has pitched 20 2/3 innings over five games in four days since the All-Star break. Five relievers pitched Monday night, including closer Jose Valverde for a second day running.

That left the Tigers looking for an extra arm to handle work Tuesday night if Armando Galarraga can't work deep into the game. Enter Fien, who was up with the Tigers for two days a few weeks ago before Ryan Perry returned. Fien pitched two scoreless innings June 30 at Minnesota.

Fien's arrival means third base will fall to Detroit's utility men for at least Tuesday. With the Rangers starting right-hander Tommy Hunter, Don Kelly appears likely to get the start at third base for the second time in three days. Kelly gave Inge a day off Sunday at Cleveland and replaced him at third base in the fifth inning Monday.

Once the Tigers get their bullpen back in order, they have a few options to replace Inge positionally. Jeff Larish has been the primary third baseman at Triple-A Toledo, and is batting .298 with 12 doubles, 10 home runs and 36 RBIs since June 1, but the Tigers did not consider Larish an everyday third baseman during his stints in Detroit.

Scott Sizemore, the Tigers' Opening Day second baseman, has hit well since coming back from injuries and could feasibly return to the big leagues if the Tigers move Carlos Guillen to third, where he played for part of the 2008 season. However, Sizemore just recently came off the DL with a hip injury, and Guillen hasn't played third base since spending half the season there in 2008.

Detroit's best defensive option could be to go with Kelly, an infielder by trade coming up through the Tigers farm system before adding outfield to his resume in recent years in the Pirates and Diamondbacks organizations. He's batting .219 (25-for-114) with Detroit this year with three doubles, a home run and eight RBIs. Fellow Tigers utilityman Ryan Raburn also has experience at third base.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Are there any MiL options for us to use? Maybe we could hit the market for something short term....

gdennis59 wrote:

Are there any MiL options for us to use? Maybe we could hit the market for something short term....

Jeff Larish is just about it right now.

Baltimore is willing to trade ANY player right now. 3rd baseman M Tejada is batting .272.