Impact Analysis: Magglio Ordonez, Detroit Tigers

July 1, 2008 @ 10:14:33

By Keith Hernandez
Edited by Tim Heaney

The Detroit Tigers were dealt a blow Sunday, June 29, when outfielder Magglio Ordonez (oblique) was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a pulled right oblique muscle. The 2007 American League batting champion experienced spasms in his right oblique and latissimus dorsi during the game Saturday, June 28. Ordonez said he does not plan on rushing back into action and likely will be out until after the All-Star break.

Similar injuries to designated hitter Gary Sheffield and third baseman Brandon Inge (oblique) affirmed Ordonez's decision not to take any chances. He plans to be out for at least two weeks while resting and undergoing treatment.

"Maggs" sidelined

Ordonez leaves the team in the midst of a six-game winning streak in which they have climbed two games over .500 entering action Tuesday, July 1. Their recent success aside, he has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season. Ordonez leads the team with 50 RBIs and is hitting .307 with 12 home runs. However, he was hitting just .266 in June with three homers and 15 RBIs.

Ordonez has appeared in at least 155 contests in each of the last two campaigns, but he played in just 134 combined games the previous two seasons while battling knee, calf and hernia injuries. The injury history is there, but he has proven to be healthy over the last couple of seasons and this situation is unrelated.

As if Ordonez's absence doesn't hurt already, the team might have to endure another injury to an offensive stud. First baseman Miguel Cabrera (hip) could be facing a DL stint of his own after leaving the game Monday, June 30, with a tight left hip flexor.

Replacements

If the team plans on making a push before the All-Star break, someone must step up to replace the production void left by Ordonez in the middle of the lineup.

Outfielders Clete Thomas, Matt Joyce, Marcus Thames and Ryan Raburn could all see some action in right field. Thomas received the start there June 29. Raburn was in right field against Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Glen Perkins June 30 but was later pinch hit for by Joyce.

Thomas is the likely candidate to see the most time in right field with Ordonez ailing. Since being recalled June 19, he is hitting .329 with seven RBIs in 85 at-bats. His left-handed bat is especially important in a lineup dominated by right-handers. In his brief stint with the team this year, he also is 6-for-11 (.545) against left-handed hurlers, something that does not bode well for the likes of Joyce and Raburn.

Joyce returns primarily to provide depth in the outfield. Before Ordonez landed on the DL, Joyce was hitting .270 with 13 home runs and 41 RBIs for Triple-A Toledo. He was initially sent down to the minors because manager Jim Leyland thought he needed to work on hitting breaking balls and off-speed pitches. In 54 at-bats with the Tigers this season he has a .222 average with five home runs and 11 RBIs. Joyce only has two of his 54 at-bats this year against left-handed pitchers, so do not expect to see him in the starting lineup with a lefty on the hill.

Raburn's start against the left-handed Perkins could be a sign that Leyland will use him when the team faces left-handed hurlers. The super-utility player is hitting only .215 with three home runs in 79 at-bats this season. In 2007 Raburn hit .304 with four home runs and 27 RBIs in 138 at-bats. He only figures to see time against lefties, however, because he is hitting .182 against right-handers this year. Raburn has seen time at second base, third base and each outfield spot this season, so he has other means for earning at-bats.

Thames could be an option to play right field as well, but it seems likely that he won't factor in as much because he has become the starting left fielder; 102 of his 148 at-bats this year have come there. Thames has been a pleasant surprise this year, leading the team with 15 home runs. He saw increased playing time with Sheffield on the DL earlier this year and is hitting .277 with 33 RBIs.

Sheffield most likely will remain the team's designated hitter, especially since he was just activated from the DL June 24 after rehabbing from an oblique strain. In his last seven games since returning, Sheffield has hit .286 and slugged two of his five home runs on the season. Do not expect him to factor into the rotation of outfielders in Ordonez's absence, since the team needs the 39-year-old Sheffield to stay healthy in order to utilize his bat.

Fantasy baseball outlook

Fantasy owners of Ordonez should obviously be concerned, but they should definitely not think of dumping him in any league format. By all means look to stash him on your bench or place him on a DL spot. Oblique strains can be tricky, but it seems as though Ordonez and the team will be extra careful with the situation.

This is good news for fantasy owners, as a premature return to the lineup could mean more DL time in the future and a drop in production for Ordonez in the second half of the season. It is unknown if he will need to go on a rehab assignment in the minors, so owners should monitor his progress closely. Sheffield required one, and in general, it seems that players who suffer this kind of injury do.

Thames and, to a lesser extent, Thomas would be solid part-time replacements for Ordonez on your fantasy squad since Thames should remain the primary left fielder and Thomas is the favorite to see the majority of playing time in right field. Look to snatch either one of these outfielders off the waiver wire in deep leagues if they are available.

Joyce and Raburn would not be considered stellar fantasy options in this situation but could be serviceable in deep AL-only league formats.

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Keith Hernandez

Keith, an editor with KFFL, joined the team as a Hot off the Wire analyst in 2008 and has been playing fantasy sports since 2005. He is involved in MLB, NFL and NASCAR content. He graduated from the University of California-San Diego in 2005 with a B.A. in Communications and was a four-year starter as a member of the baseball program.

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