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Austin Jackson Injury: Tigers' CF Exits Game With Mild Abdominal Strain, Day-To-Day

2012-05-17T01:11:09Z

Detroit Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson left Wednesday night's game against the Minnesota Twins after the bottom half of the fourth inning. Jackson made the last out of the inning by flying out to right field and was seen in the dugout talking with trainer Kevin Rand before walking into the clubhouse. Don Kelly replaced Jackson in center field the next half.

Fox Sports Detroit broadcasted a couple innings later that Jackson was diagnosed with a mild abdominal strain and is day-to-day.

Jackson has been one of the Tigers' best hitters this season, entering Wednesday's game with a .323/.409/.950 hitting line and was 2-for-3 with a run batted in and two runs scored when he exited the game with his injury.

For more on the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins, head over to Bless You Boys and Twinkie Town, SB Nation's respective blogs for the teams. More news and analysis on Major League Baseball in general can be found over at Baseball Nation.

Tigers Vs. Twins Score Update: Detroit Has 4 Errors, Game Tied 6-6 After 2.5 Innings

2012-05-17T00:28:14Z

In fear of being ancient with these gross score updates, I don't know how many I'll do, but after two and a half innings the Tigers are tied with the Minnesota Twins, 6-6.

Thanks to four errors by the Tigers -- Prince Fielder, Ramon Santiago, Ryan Raburn and Miguel Cabrera -- the Twins have six runs, but only two of them are earned. The biggest error was Raburn's in the second, which would have been the third out of the inning and was immediately followed by a Brian Dozier three-run homer.

Luckily, Nick Blackburn got touched up for five straight singles after walking Raburn and gave the Twins' lead away to the Tigers in the home half.

Porcello gave the lead right back in the top of the third, though, allowing a double off the yellow line of the wall in right to Josh Willingham and a one-out single to Ryan Doumit that scored Willingham.

Going into the bottom half of the third, Blackburn has been relieved by Jeff Gray.

Tigers Vs. Twins: Detroit Starting Lineup For Wednesday

2012-05-16T21:51:17Z

On Wednesday night, the Detroit Tigers will open a two-game set against their Central Division rivals, the Minnesota Twins. Detroit currently sits only two games back of the Cleveland Indians for the division lead and will look to take advantage of the cellar-dwelling Twins in order to try to gain some ground on the Tribe.

Here is the Tigers' projected starting lineup for Wednesday night:

1. Austin Jackson, Center Field

2. Andy Dirks, Left Field

3. Miguel Cabrera, Third Base

4. Prince Fielder, First Base

5. Delmon Young, Designated Hitter

6. Alex Avila, Catcher

7. Ryan Raburn, Second Base

8. Brennan Boesch, Right Field

9. Ramon Santiago, Short Stop

Starting Pitcher: Rick Porcello; 3-3, 5.18

Tigers Vs. Twins: Detroit Kicks Off Home Series Against Minnesota

2012-05-16T21:36:28Z

The Detroit Tigers will host the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on Wednesday for the first game of an AL Central series.

The Detroit Tigers are still looking for a way to push themselves above the Cleveland Indians, surprising leaders of the AL Central. Currently in second place and two games back of the Indians, they'll get a chance to get some inter-division wins when they kick off a series against the last place Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.

It won't be the most intriguing pitching match up as both teams put out under performing right handers on the mound. Detroit will send Rick Porcello and his 5.18 ERA onto the mound while Minnesota will be hoping that 1-4 Nick Blackburn can boost his terrible numbers, which include a miserable 7.18 ERA.

That number should have the streaky Detroit offense salivating as they try and put together some strong performances in a row, something they have struggled with so far this season. Prince Fielder in particular will be looking to snap out of a funk that has kept his hits down lately.

Of course, the Tigers are also 18-4 in their last 22 games against the Twins so history is on their side as well.

The game will be at Comerica Park at 7:05 p.m. ET.

Jose Valverde Injury: Tigers Closer Expects To Play This Weekend

2012-05-16T20:54:13Z

After leaving Tuesday's game against the Chicago White Sox with lower back tightness, Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde was listed as day-to-day with a lower back strain on Wednesday. Of course, this led many to think the worst and question what the Tigers would do if their closer was to miss any kind of extended time.

However, those worries were somewhat eased later on Wednesday, as Valverde commented that he expects to return to action this weekend when the Tigers host the Pittsburgh Pirates in a three-game set.

Valverde says he expects to be ready for series against Pirates this weekend. #Tigers
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) May 16, 2012

Until he is ready to return, Detroit set-up man Joaquin Benoit will step in and take over the closer role unless particular matchups dictate otherwise. Benoit has 11 career saves in 32 possible save opportunities.

For more on the Tigers, head over to Bless You Boys.

Jose Valverde Injury: Tigers Closer Day-To-Day With Lower Back Strain

2012-05-16T20:15:25Z

On Wednesday afternoon, Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde was officially diagnosed as day-to-day with a lower back strain after leaving Tuesday's game against the Chicago White Sox with lower back tightness. Valverde is 2-1 this season with a 5.51 ERA and seven saves in nine opportunities.

According to Jason Beck, set-up man Joaquin Benoit will step in for Valverde as the team's closer unless "matchups dictate otherwise." Benoit has 11 career saves in 32 possible save opportunities.

Valverde day to day with lower back strain. Benoit the likely closer for now unless matchups dictate otherwise. #Tigers
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) May 16, 2012

Even with Benoit stepping into the closer's role, the Tigers still face a significant problem with who will manage the set-up position. Unless another pitcher is able to step up and fill his role, it will force the starters to pitch later into games.

For more on the Tigers, head over to Bless You Boys.

Jose Valverde Injury: Tigers Closer Day-To-Day With Lower Back Strain

2012-05-16T19:59:55Z

Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde left Tuesday's game in the ninth inning and is considered day-to-day with a lower back strain.

The bullpen situation in Detroit just got a whole lot messier. Tigers closer Jose Valverde entered Tuesday's game in a non-save situation needing just three outs to preserve a Detroit victory, but could only manage two before grimacing in pain and leaving the game with reported lower back tightness according to Fox Sports Detroit.

Without Valverde in to close the door, the Tigers gave the ball to reliever Octavio Dotel, who promptly gave up a pair of runs before he could even record an out. Dotel not only nearly blew the game in the process, but sucked even more wind from the sails of Tigers fans brave enough to wonder what life without Valverde might be like.

If Valverde is forced to miss even a brief amount of time, it's expected that set-up man Joaquin Benoit will assume the closer role in full. But even that scenario would leave a significant hole in the 7th and 8th innings, which could force Tigers starters to pitch deeper into games and tax the most essential part of organization's pitching staff. For now, though, it's expected that Valverde is day-to-day, but be sure to stay with SB Nation Detroit for more updates as news becomes available.

For more on the Tigers, head over to Bless You Boys.

Rumors Linking Red Wings, Alexander Semin Already Popping Up

2012-05-16T00:52:10Z

NHL free agency is a month a half away, but already rumors are starting to swirl about players like Ryan Suter and Alexander Semin. Both players' teams have been eliminated from the NHL playoffs, and both players are expected to garner quite a bit of interest on the open market, especially from the Detroit Red Wings.

While Suter and somebody like Zach Parise will likely be the Red Wings' top targets when free agency begins, there is also an expectation for them to show interest in Semin. It seems highly unlikely that Semin will return to the Washington Capitals, and should he decide to continue playing in the NHL rather than going to his native Russia to play in the KHL, Detroit is a landing spot that would make a lot of sense.

On Tuesday, Neil Greenberg, a contributor to the Washington Post and ESPN, passed along a rumor linking Semin to the Red Wings. Here's what he had to say:

If I was setting a Vegas line for "Where will #Caps Alexander Semin end up?" the favorite would be Detroit Red Wings.
— Neil Greenberg (@ngreenberg) May 15, 2012

Greenberg went on to tweet that he has heard from "three different sources" that the Red Wings are the favorite, and he also tweeted that he's hearing Semin would take a discount to sign with the Red Wings. Considering he would have a chance to be teammates with countryman Pavel Datsyuk, it's not too surprising to hear that a discount to sign with Detroit might be in play.

Red Wings fans have high hopes for the offseason given that there is a lot of top-tier talent expected to be available and given that the team needs to improve after a first-round exit in the playoffs. While landing even one of Suter and Parise may be difficult, signing Semin would at least add some talent to a team clearly in need of more playmakers.

For more on the Detroit Red Wings, check out Winging It In Motown. You can check out more hockey news from around the league at SB Nation's NHL page.