Tigers' Kenny Rogers goes on disabled list

Tom Gage / The Detroit News

LAKELAND, Fla. -- It will be Chad Durbin in the starting rotation and Kenny Rogers on the 15-day disabled list for the start of the season.

The Tigers announced Thursday that Rogers has gone on the DL, retroactive to March 25, because of a "fatigued arm." With Durbin now in the rotation, Bobby Seay has been recalled to replace him in the bullpen -- thus giving the Tigers that second left-handed relief pitcher, after all.

In keeping with baseball's new medical regulations, general manager Dave Dombrowski said he could not disclose the specific area of concern in Rogers' arm.

"We're hopeful it won't be a long-term thing," he said. "We don't think it is, but I'm not saying it isn't. But he might only miss a start. We're just not sure at this point."

"Kenny is undergoing additional tests and we may know more, no later than (Friday).

"He had the flu for three or four days, and his whole body was achy at that point, like you normally have with the flu. But after that, his arm continued to feel heavy."

As for Durbin going into the rotation, Dombrowski said, "We thought, with the way he's being throwing the ball, that he gives us the best opportunity to win.

"It does allow us to have a second left-hander in the bullpen, which probably becomes more important when you don't have as many left-handed starters."

Without missing a start, Rogers was 17-8 with a 3.84 ERA last season for the Tigers. He won all three playoff starts, not allowing a run in 23 innings.

At 42, he's in the second year of a two-year, $16 million contract.

Durbin, 29, won a roster spot this spring. He was signed by the Tigers as a free agent in November 2005. He has spent most of his career in the minors.

In 2006, he went 11-8 at Triple-A Toledo with a 3.11 ERA in 28 starts. He pitched in three games with the Tigers, allowing six hits and one earned run in six innings.

I'm not overly worried about Rogers. He is a throw back to another era. This may slow him down and delay his season,. But, it will not stop him. He will be back shortly. And even if he isn't, the Tigers have the horses they can call up to fill in.

Looks Like Minor will get some more Major League time this year. I think he did well last year.

He kinda scares me... He did well when he came up, but the scouting report got out on him in a hurry and he played like crap..

I agree, he went downhill fast...

Looks Like Minor will get some more Major League time this year. I think he did well last year.