Brandon Inge put on disabled list ahead of 2012 regular season – MLB Detroit Tigers News
According to a leading sports website, Detroit Tigers have placed Brandon Inge on a 15-days disabled list ahead of the 2012 regular season. Inge looked in fine form until Thursday last week before getting injured. The source further added that Inge can make
his return off the DL on Saturday.
Inge’s injury will allow the infielder Danny Worth and outfielder Clete Thomas to secure a place on Tigers’ 25 man roster for the Opening Day. Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland is very keen to add the youngster Drew Smyly to the pitching rotation. Either Thomas
or Worth will have to start their season in the minor league system to make room for Smyly.
Leyland has already confirmed that Smyly will be playing as the fifth starting pitcher for the Tigers this season. The right hander was preferred over Jacob Turner and Andy Oliver. It will be interesting to see if Smyly can live up to his immense potential
and Leyland faith pays off.
In an interview, Inge stated that he understands why the Tigers have decided to place him on the Disabled List. Although the groin strain is of not of serious nature, he can end up missing plenty of MLB games if he is not careful.
“The DL is not a terrible thing on this one,” Inge said. “I understand where they’re coming from. The skipper wants 25 guys that he knows he can count on. The only way he was going to know he could count on me was if I played in today’s game.”
“I understand it. It wouldn’t have been smart for me to play in today’s game. It’s better today than it was yesterday, and probably by Opening Day, I’d be fine. But today, I still think there is a small, small risk that I could completely tear it out.”
A few days ago, Inge seemed to be very excited for the Opening day but now he isn’t on Tigers’ roster anymore. Of course, he will be a bit disappointed with his situation. However, considering his fighting abilities, he is expected to bounce back strongly.
Inge gave some impressive results at third base last season but with Miguel Cabrera moving to 3B this season, Inge is expected to take on second base.
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