Catcher: For now, Brandon Inge with Javier Cardona backing up. If Mitch Meluskey can throw (he’s working on it) he will be the full-timer, with Inge the backup. Meluskey can hit. Inge might hit enough not to hurt you.
First Base: Right now, Dmitri Young is the man, with Randall Simon the backup.
Second Base: Damion Easley, spotted by Jose Macias.
Shortstop: Right now, Shane Halter tops the depth chart. The Tigers will probably make a move. Omar Infante is a young defensive player who might get called up but will not hit enough to be worth considering.
Third Base: Right now it’s all Craig Paquette, but expect to see Jarrod Patterson there, too, until Dean Palmer is able to make the throws.
Left Field: Bobby Higginson.
Center Field: Jose Macias most of the time, Wendell Magee sometimes. At least for a while. It is probable that Macias won’t hit enough, in which case the Tigers could try to put Higginson in center, Young in left, Fick in Right, Simon at first. You get the picture.
Right Field: Robert Fick for the time being, but he blew two plays in the Tigers’ first exhibition game. His D could play him into some DH/1B work, or much reduced playing time. Like Macias, he’s a starter right now but that could change in a hurry.
DH: Palmer for now, but if he can play third base there will be a lot of rotating going on.
Starting Pitchers: Jeff Weaver, Jose Lima, Steve Sparks, Nate Cornejo. The fifth spot is open right now. Brian Moehler isn’t expected back until mid-season. Adam Pettyjohn is feeled by a serious case of colitis. Heath Murray is not very good. Victor Santos needs more seasoning.
Closer: Matt Anderson, with a new wicked slider. If he can throw strikes he’ll be very good.
In Waiting: Danny Patterson, Adam Bernero. The latter was a starter in the minors, but he’s coming off an awful year.