Jim Leyland wants his players back from the WBC

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) -- "Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland is ready for the World Baseball Classic to be over -- he needs his starters back....

• The Tigers have been playing without Armando Galarraga, Carlos Guillen, Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez, who are playing for Venezuela in the WBC. Curtis Granderson is with the United States team. Both teams advanced to the semifinals.

"It's a no-win situation," Leyland said.

• "Some guys just want their players back and that's how I feel also. I want our guys to spend some time together before opening day."

Leyland said he is watching the WBC with great interest but wants his entire squad to have a chance to work together before breaking camp. He would like to see Cabrera, who played third base last year, get some work at first base.

• He's not happy that Guillen has been serving mostly as designated hitter in the WBC,
• when he will be the left fielder after playing first base last season.

Leyland also wants to see Galarraga at least once in a Tigers uniform before opening day. Galarraga was Detroit's most effective pitcher last season and Leyland said he was a little concerned over Gallaraga's pitch count at the WBC. He threw 71 pitches in his last start for Venezuela.

• "We are not where we want to be right now," Leyland said. "We just don't have our players."...

Tweet Stumbleupon StumbleUpon