Major League Baseball

Guillen continues to recover from knee injury

Published Feb. 23, 2011 9:28 p.m. ET

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Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland knows the right side of his infield might not be ready for opening day and he's not going to worry about it.

The Tigers have some big question marks with second baseman Carlos Guillen still recovering from offseason surgery on his left knee and first baseman Miguel Cabrera out indefinitely following his arrest on a DUI charge.

While the team has been mum about Cabrera's whereabouts and potential return date, Guillen has been in camp from the start after working hard during the offseason to rehab from the injury that ended his 2010 season in mid-August.

''We just need to be cautious and let him take his time so he can be at 100 percent all season,'' Leyland said Wednesday. ''We are just happy about what we've seen so far, but we aren't going to rush him.''

Guillen went on the disabled list three times last season: for a left hamstring strain, a right calf strain, and the knee injury that ended his season. The three-time All-Star said he felt fine over the weekend, but was sore after Tuesday's workout.

''He's had some soreness but it isn't a red flag,'' Leyland said. ''You just have to be careful in a situation like this.''

''I expect to be ready and have a big season but you never know,'' said Guillen, who hasn't played more than 113 games in a season since 2007. ''I came to camp in good shape and now it's just a matter of being ready.''

Guillen is fighting for the second base position with Scott Sizemore, who struggled last season after winning the starting position out of spring training, and Will Rhymes, who batted .304 in 54 games in two stints with the Tigers after being called up in late July.

Rhymes performed well after his midseason call up and Sizemore said that his abbreviated rookie season has him more prepared to make a run at the starting job.

There is a gaping hole in the Tigers' lineup behind Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez and Victor Martinez, and the job will likely go to whoever wins the second base job. Leyland likes the idea of having the switch-hitting Guillen in that slot if he is healthy. Rhymes bats lefty and Sizemore is a righty.

''We're keeping our fingers crossed on Guillen,'' Leyland said. ''He looks great to me and I haven't seen anyone come to camp in better shape.''

Sizemore opened the season at second last year, but hit just .206 while battling a left ankle injury. He was sent to Triple-A Toledo in May and spent two more stints with the Tigers, finishing with a .224 average in 48 games.

''I just was overcompensating for the pain in my ankle so I hurt myself in other places and it kind of ruined my year,'' Sizemore said. ''All I ever wanted to do was play in the major leagues and I had my chance and now I have to fight to get back.''

Leyland said Rhymes, who was Toledo's player of the year last season, was in the mix at second if Guillen can't make it by opening day on March 31.

Still, Guillen is the front-runner and has no doubt that he'll be ready.

Notes: Leyland said that Austin Jackson might be spending a little too much time in the weight room. The second-year center fielder is coming off a big rookie season, but he has noticeably bulked up. ''I just want him to be himself,'' Leyland said. ''I don't want him to rush it. He knows he has power already.'' ... As far as the Cabrera situation, Leyland said it just has to run its course. All he, or anyone in the Tigers clubhouse would say, is that they hope to see him in time for the March 31 Opening Day in New York.

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