The Tigers have placed outfielder Marcus Thames on the 15-day disabled list. Thames hurt himself in batting practice and he could miss up to 2 months. He has played in 6 games for the Tigers this season and he is 4 for 18 (.222 avg, .639 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs. The Tigers have recalled Ryan Raburn to replace Thames on the active roster. Raburn has played in 12 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 12 for 47 (.255 avg, .995 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 5 homers, 9 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Raburn has also played in 1 game for the Tigers so far going 0 for 2 (.000 avg). The Tigers will miss Thames’ power bat.

The Tigers have acquired 32-year old lefty swinging outfielder Jason Tyner from the Brewers for future considerations. Tyner has played in 9 games in AAA-ball this season and he was 2 for 21 (.095 avg, .262 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs. He has also played in 440 games in his major league career so far and he is 373 for 1,358 (.275 avg, .637 OPS) with 168 runs scored, 1 homer, 94 RBIs and 61 stolen bases. Tyner’s upside is likely a backup for the Tigers at some point in 2009 but it never hurts to have players like him in AAA.

35-year old righty swinging Magglio Ordonez will do what he does best again in 2009 for the Tigers and that’s swing the bat. Ordonez played in 146 games for the Tigers last season and he was 178 for 561 (.317 avg, .870 OPS) with 72 runs scored, 21 homers and 103 RBIs. He made 5 errors in 135 games in RF while showing pretty poor range. Ordonez’ legs are shot but the Tigers won’t care as long as he keeps hitting.

33-year old lefty swinging Timo Perez will be a insurance policy for the Tigers again in 2009 likely starting the season in AAA. Perez played in 112 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 129 for 427 (.302 avg, .847 OPS) with 56 runs scored, 13 homers, 63 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B+

28-year old lefty swinging Curtis Granderson will likely have the best season in his major league career as long as he stays healthy. Granderson played in 141 games for the Tigers last season and he was 155 for 553 (.280 avg, .859 OPS) with 112 runs scored, 22 homers, 66 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Granderson is also a good CF defensively as he made 4 errors in 140 games there last season while showing good range. Granderson will be one of the best all-around center fielders in major league baseball again in 2009.

26-year old lefty swinging Josh Anderson will likely be the #4 outfielder on the Tigers in 2009 but he’s a natural CF. Anderson played in 40 games for the Braves last season and he was 40 for 136 (.294 avg, .764 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 3 homers, 12 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Anderson played in 30 games in CF for the Braves last season making 2 errors while showing poor range.

25-year old lefty swinging Clete Thomas had Tommy John Surgery last season but he appears ready to go. He played in 40 ames for the Tigers last season and he was 33 for 116 (.284 avg, .771 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 1 homer, 9 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Thomas played in 16 games in CF last season for the Tigers showing outstanding range but he did make 2 errors.

25-year old righty swinging Brent Clevlen appears to be falling down the Tigers’ depth chart. Clevlen played in 11 games for the Tigers last season in which he was 5 for 24 (.208 avg, .504 OPS) with 4 runs scored and 1 RBI. Clevlen also played in 126 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 133 for 476 (.279 avg, .854 OPS) with 75 runs scored, 22 homers, 82 RBIs and 7 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: A

The Tigers are attempting to find a position that Carlos Guillen can play without getting hurt. He played in 113 games for the Tigers last season and he was 120 for 420 (.286 avg, .812 OPS) with 68 runs scored, 10 homers, 54 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. Guillen played in 2 games in LF for the Tigers last season and he showed outstanding range without making any errors. This might be a good fit for the athletic Guillen.

32-year old lefty swinging Marcus Thames might be getting most of his playing time at DH in 2009. Thames played in 103 games for the Tigers last season and he was 76 for 316 (.241 avg, .808 OPS) with 50 runs scored, 25 homers and 56 RBIs. He made 5 errors in 73 games in LF last season but on the bright side he did show outstanding range.

30-year old lefty swinging Alexis Gomez is back with the Tigers. He played in 23 games in AAA ball last season and he was 18 for 77 (.234 avg, .783 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 4 homers, 12 RBIs and 5 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B-