Edgar Martinez ruptured a hamstring tendon behind his left knee while running to first base during Thursday's game. An MRI on Friday revealed that it was a rupture and not merely a bad strain, so he was scheduled to have surgery to remove the tendon on Saturday.

While this particular procedure is not overly common, the same tendon is frequently transplanted in surgeries to repair the ACL. So far there have been no announcements as to when the Mariners can expect Martinez to return, other than statements of the obvious: he will not be able to return when he is first eligible to return from the DL in 15 days.

Ruben Sierra has been splitting time in LF with Mark McLemore, but Sierra will now likely take over the majority of the DH at-bats while Martinez is out, leaving LF primarily to McLemore.

Ron Wright was called up to take Martinez's roster spot. Wright is a 26-year-old right-handed first baseman without much plate discipline but with the ability to hit for power against lefties, which is something Seattle will likely appreciate with Martinez down.

On Friday, Felipe Alou has accepted the Tigers' offer to become their new bench coach. Everyone seems pleased that he has chosen to lend his experience to the struggling organization. Both President and GM Dave Dombrowski and new manager Luis Pujols have worked with Alou in the past.

Pujols has rearranged the batting order since taking over for the fired Phil Garner. Bobby Higginson, who the Tigers were attempting to use as a leadoff hitter, has been dropped to 3rd. Meanwhile, Andres Torres appears to have stolen Jose Macias' full-time job in CF and becomes the new leadoff hitter. The 24-year-old outfielder has promising plate discipline and good speed potential. Torres played for Pujols at AA Erie last season, so the manager is familiar with his abilities.

The most recent incarnation of their line-up appears to be:
1. Andres Torres, CF
2. Craig Paquette, 3B
3. Bobby Higginson, LF
4. Dmitri Young, 1B
5. Shane Halter, SS
6. Dean Palmer, DH
7. Mike Rivera/Mitch Meluskey, C
8. Wendell Magee, RF
9. Jose Macias, 2B

Macias is currently filling in at 2B since Damian Jackson is on the DL with a lacerated middle finger on his right-hand and Damion Easley is sidelined with a trunk strain. Easley was expected back on Friday but did not play. Detroit doesn't trust Macias as the leadoff man, so they place him ninth to take advantage of his speed when the order wraps around.

Mitch Meluskey and Mike Rivera have been splitting most of the time behind the plate evenly. The Tigers were hoping to be able to occasionally have both in the lineup at once using the DH spot, but that scenario appears to be on hold with Palmer still unable to play the field.

Although they've made no move to place him on the DL, the Tigers don't want Robert Fick, who is suffering from a strained hamstring, to play until he is well enough to handle the outfield. He reportedly feels healthy now, but Detroit is unlikely to start him during their trip to Minnesota this weekend when he could re-injure himself on the turf. Wendell Magee has been taking most of the extra RF at-bats while Fick is sidelined.

When Fick returns the line-up will likely move around again. I expect it to look something like this:
1. Andres Torres, CF
2. Shane Halter, SS
3. Bobby Higginson, LF
4. Dmitri Young, 1B
5. Robert Fick, RF
6. Dean Palmer, DH
7. Mike Rivera/Mitch Meluskey, C
8. Craig Paquette, 3B
9. Damian Easley, 2B

Macias will be forced into a utility position unless there are additional injuries. They'd probably be better off playing Macias at third and Paquette as a utilityman and pinch-hitter, but they want to feature Paquette as their primary free agent signing. Detroit would have a lot more flexibility if they'd just play Young at 3B. Palmer might be able to handle 1B and then they would have the DH slot open. Unfortunately, there isn't a truly appealing scenario among these possibilities.

A few players have made it back from the DL in the last week. Dennis Cook, who received a contusion to his left rib cage during the ANA/SD brawl, was activated on Wednesday. Anaheim is pleased to have him back, especially since Troy Percival will remain on the DL at least until Friday. Cook should be fully recovered.

The Angels sent down Clay Bellinger and will carry 12 pitchers for a stretch, likely until either Shawn Wooten or Benji Gil is able to return. Gil went on the DL April 5th with a sprained left ankle. The sprain is considered fairly severe and he was still on crutches earlier this week, so Gil is expected to miss several weeks and is unlikely to return from the disabled list when he is first eligible.

Baltimore activated Marty Cordova from the DL on Friday. Cordova suffered a strained right quadriceps during Spring Training. The Orioles are happy to have him back as their offense is off to a rather slow start. Cordova will likely DH for a time before returning to the outfield to insure that he doesn't aggravate the injury.

Luis Garcia was sent down when Cordova was activated. The Orioles signed the 26-year-old outfielder as a minor league free agent. He was with Tampa Bay before that, who loaned him to the Mexico City Tigers for the last three seasons. He has both power and speed potential as well as developing plate discipline.