Tigers activate OF Ordonez

Jul 17, 2008 - 10:47 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Tigers activated right fielder Magglio Ordonez from the 15-day disabled list and inserted him into the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Baltimore Orioles.

On Tuesday, the Tigers recalled Ordonez from his injury rehab assignment at Class A West Michigan. He had been on the DL since June 29 with a pulled oblique.

Last year's American League batting champion, Ordonez felt a spasm in his side while chasing a foul ball in a game against the Colorado Rockies, and the pain forced him to leave the contest in the third inning.

Ordonez, who was second in last year's AL Most Valuable Player voting, has played in 80 games this season, batting .307 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI.

In anticipation of Ordonez's return, the Tigers optioned outfielder Clete Thomas to Class AAA Toledo of the International League on Tuesday. Thomas batted .284 with a homer and nine RBI in 40 contests for Detroit.