Delmon Young, as you know, was left off the Tigers' initial ALCS roster due to a minor oblique injury. And then Young, as you know, was re-added to the Tigers' roster to replace the injured Magglio Ordonez. Young even started Monday's Game 2 in Texas.
Delmon Young Scratched From ALCS Game 3 Lineup With Injury; Andy Dirks To Start
But Young did not look good - even for him - and while he got himself into Jim Leyland’s original starting lineup for Game 3, he’s been scratched. The injury is still bothering him, and he’s too sore to play.
Leyland doesn’t know about Young’s availability going forward, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to find out that Young aggravated the injury by playing. But that’s me trying to pass off speculation as insight. It might have happened, or it might not have happened!
Young will be replaced in Game 3 by Andy Dirks, and truth be told, this might actually make the Tigers better. It's bad that Young is hurt, obviously, but Dirks is the superior defensive outfielder, and his bat isn't a bad bet. Especially on Tuesday, given that Dirks swings from the left side, and Rangers starter Colby Lewis is a righty. Dirks probably should've been in the lineup from the beginning.
No word yet on whether Dirks will simply slide into Young’s place Tuesday or whether Leyland will shuffle the whole lineup, but we’ll let you know when we know.
The new lineup:
Austin Jackson, CF
Ramon Santiago#, 2B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez#, DH
Don Kelly*, 3B
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Alex Avila*, C
Ryan Raburn, LF
Andy Dirks*, RF
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