Boesch Earns His Spot, With Ordonez In Or Out

Everybody wants to know what's going to happen Magglio Ordonez returns to the Tigers from the disabled list.

It's basically simple. If he hits, he plays. If he doesn't, he gets the remainder of his $10 million salary to watch.

"So, hopefully, Magglio Ordonez comes up and is close to what he's been as a productive offensive player, and he'll be a big lift for us when it's all said and done, believe me," manager Jim Leyland said.

"If he doesn't hit, that's a different story."

One person who's going to be in the lineup regardless is Brennan Boesch, who hit a two-run home run to finish a fourth-run fifth that provided all the runs Detroit needed for a 4-1 victory over Seattle.

Boesch will switch to left field when Ordonez reclaims his right field spot. That would push rookie Andy Dirks to the bench until defensive replacements are needed for the late innings.

If, that is, Dirks remains with the team. He could be optioned back to Toledo if a roster spot is needed.

"We've got some depth," Leyland said. "There's only nine spots, but I'm going to put the guys out there who give us the best chance to win, and it doesn't matter what the names are. That's what I'm supposed to do. That's what I get paid for.

"Magglio's got to hit. That's just the way it is. That's what his forte is. That's what we need him to do. We need his bat."

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