Jul 3, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Tigers second baseman Omar Infante (4) turns a double play in the third inning as Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Emilio Bonifacio (1) slides at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
In news that somehow slipped past my radar, Omar Infante was sent out on a rehab assignment with the Toledo Mud Hens. He served as the Toledo designated hitter, batted in the leadoff spot, and went 1-5 with a single and a strikeout.
The results aren’t so much important as the fact that he’s back on the field in game action. Infante, who’s been out since July 3, started a rehab assignment with West Michigan nearly two weeks ago, but exited in the second game of that stint due to soreness in his injured ankle.
Ramon Santiago and Hernan Perez have been mostly non-terrible in his place, but neither of them carry the same offensive potential that Omar does, and the Tigers would love nothing more than to have their starting second baseman back in the lineup — especially with Jhonny Peralta gone and Miguel Cabrera ailing.
The plan is apparently for Infante to play in the field on Wednesday, and I’m guessing the organization will set a firmer timetable for his return based on the results of that game.
In somewhat related injury news, Ocatavio Dotel is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday at the Rookie Ball level for the Gulf Coast League Tigers.