KANSAS CITY, Missouri - The Detroit Tigers on Friday
activated second baseman Placido Polanco from the 15-day
disabled list.
Polanco was not in the lineup on Friday night in the opener of a
three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, but Tigers
manager Jim Leyland said he would start on Saturday.
Polanco went on the disabled list on August 16 with a separated
shoulder. He injured the shoulder diving for a flyball against
the Boston Red Sox.
Detroit (91-62), which entered Friday with a one-half game lead
over the Minnesota Twins for first place in the American League
Central Division, is 69-32 with Polanco in the starting lineup.
The Tigers are 13-22 without him.
It has been a tumultuous week for Polanco. Last Sunday, he
announced he was done for the season because his shoulder hurt
too much following batting practice on Saturday. Then on
Monday, Polanco announced his shoulder felt much better and he
said he hoped to return this season.
The 30-year-old Polanco, who was acquired from the Philadelphia
Philles during the 2005 season, batted .338 in 86 games with the
Tigers a year ago.