The Brandon Inge Unhinged Binge
By: Bob Wojnowski
I suppose it's time to accept that the Brandon Inge Unhinged Binge will never end -- at least not in our lifetimes.
It certainly wasn't a shock that the Tigers placed Inge on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. But it was puzzling (to say the least) when Jim Leyland also announced Inge would be the platoon second baseman against left-handed pitchers when he returns.
Huh? So obviously, Inge was making the roster no matter what, because he sure didn't hit (.180) well enough in the spring, and he didn't stay healthy either. This might be more an indictment of young Danny Worth, or it could be a final respectful nod to the veteran Inge, giving him one last shot.
Frankly, I think the Tigers are just buying time, trying to get into the season, play Inge a bit and hope someone, anyone, bites on a trade offer. Inge also is insurance in case Ryan Raburn boots the ball too often at second, or Ramon Santiago struggles.
It's hard to figure out the true motives here, and it could change at any moment. But the Tigers threw a bit of a curveball, which is OK -- if Inge can actually hit that curveball.
