Tony

Giarratano

Dmitri Young followed for back-to-back blasts. Giarratano hit 11 homers in 726 at-bats as a minor leaguer, so don’t expect much more in the way of power numbers.

It probably is time for Omar Infante to start getting starts at shortstop. Giarratano should head back to the minors once Carlos Guillen returns from a hamstring injury.

The Tigers were getting sick of 0-for-4s from Omar Infante, Ramon Martinez and Jason Smith, especially with Carlos Guillen so frequently out of the lineup. However, this isn’t the answer. Burning an option now when Giarratano isn’t going to be a regular until mid-2006 or 2007 was a very bad idea. The 2003 third-round pick was hitting just .253/.330/.388 for Erie. He’s a quality defender, but he’s not ready to help a major league team. The Tigers figure to give him time at both second and short until Guillen shows he’s ready to start six games per week.

Giarratano threw a ball away to give the Orioles a chance at a big ninth inning. Fortunately, Rafael Palmeiro’s near grand slam was caught at the wall and the Tigers held on to win 5-3. It’s possible that Carlos Guillen (knee) will return to shortstop tomorrow. Even if it happens, Giarratano may start over Omar Infante at second base.

With Omar Infante taking over at shortstop, Giarratano had just one plate appearance in his final eight days with the Tigers. Overall, he hit .143/.234/.214 in 42 AB. Giarratano will likely rejoin the Tigers in September, but he shouldn’t be a regular until 2007.

The Tigers are going to need Carlos Guillen back in the field soon. Giarratano is 3-for-12 in four games since being recalled.

Giarratano has struggled both offensively and defensively, but until Guillen shows he can play shortstop every day, the Tigers will keep the rookie around for insurance.

He’s expected to get another start at shortstop tomorrow before Carlos Guillen perhaps returns to the position on Friday. While he’s a solid prospect in the long-term, Giarratano was batting .253 with very limited power in Double-A. He’s not worth claiming in AL-only leagues.

Giarratano was considered the Tigers’ shortstop of the future when he was drafted in 2003. He made his major league debut just two years later, but he suffered a torn ACL in July 2006 and missed last year after shoulder surgery. “Unfortunately, Tony has not be able to recover from his previous surgery and it does not appear feasible for him to continue his career at this time,” Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said.

Giarratano missed much of 2006 because of a knee injury and missed all of last season following surgery to repair a torn labrum. The Detroit Free Press reports that another surgery could be an option, putting his future in serious doubt.