19-year old righty starting pitcher Rick Porcello is off to an outstanding start to his professional baseball career. Porcello has started 7 games in A-Ball so far this season and he is 2-4 with a 1.98 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. He has only allowed 25 hits in 36.1 innings so far this year. Although the Tigers might be tempted to rush Porecllo through the system they would be better served to take their time.

Curtis Granderson has really given the Tigers’ offense a huge boost since his return from the disabled list. He has played in 12 games for the Tigers this season and he is 14 for 45 (.311 avg, 1.192 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 5 homers and 9 RBIs. Look for the Tigers to follow Granderson’s lead and really start scoring a lot of runs soon.

The Detroit Tigers have designated outfielder Jacque Jones for assignment. Jones played in 24 games this season for the Tigers and he was 13 for 79 (.165 avg, .497 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 1 homer and 5 RBIs. Jones will be replaced on the roster by 23-year old lefty swinging outfielder Matt Joyce. Joyce was the Tigers’ #7 rated player in their minor league system according to the Baseball America Prospect Handbook. Joyce has played in 28 games in AAA ball so far this season and he is 29 for 97 (.299 avg, .903 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 5 homers and 21 RBIs. Marcus Thames, Ryan Raburn and Matt Joyce will all likely get time in LF to replace Jones. Thames has played in 18 games for the Tigers this season and he is 9 for 41 (.220 avg, .655 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 2 homers and 5 RBIs. Ryan Raburn has also played in 18 games for the Tigers this season and he is 5 for 21 (.238 avg, .836 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs.

The Tigers have placed righty reliever Denny Bautista on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis. Bautista has pitched in 13 games (0 starts) for the Tigers so far this season and he is 0-1 with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP. He has walked 13 batters in only 13.1 innings and it was driving manager Jim Leyland batty. The Tigers have recalled 25-year old righty reliever Freddy Dolsi to replace Bautista in the bullpen. Dolsi has pitched in 12 games (0 starts) in A+AA ball so far this season and he is 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP.

The Tigers have traded righty reliever Jason Grilli to the Rockies for 22-year old righty reliever Zach Simons. Grilli pitched in 9 games (0 starts) for the Tigers this season and he was 0-1 with a 3.29 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. The Tigers traded Grilli to make room for 26-year old righty Francisco Cruceta on the roster. Cruceta pitched in 3 games (0 starts) in AAA ball this season and he was 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP. Cruceta also whiffed 15 batters and only allowed 2 hits in 7 innings. Cruceta hasn’t fared too well in his major league career yet. In 6 games (3 starts) in his major league career, Cruceta is 0-1 with a 10.05 ERA and a 2.09 WHIP. Simons has pitched in 7 games (0 starts) in A-ball this year and he is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP.