C-ya, Mo

I’m not one to often indulge in schadenfreude but, in the case of Craig Monroe, I’m willing to be flexible.

It’s sadly delicious that his Tigers career essentially ends today in the city where, some 50 weeks ago, he hit a timely homer off former Yankees righty Scott Proctor to give the Tigers a hard-fought split of a doubleheader.

So, for the man who refers to himself in the third person, who’s nestled between Sid Monge and Manny Montejo on the Tigers’ all-time roster, and who Baseball Prospectus once dubbed the ultimate “quadruple-A player”, it culminates with three ambiguous words: Designated for assignment.

It has a certain ring to it, no?

Oh, sure, there’s a job for Monroe somewhere in the majors. Perhaps he can catch on with the usual recycling stations for reusable Tigers: Tampa Bay or Washington. Of course, we can hope that Cleveland takes a flyer on him. The best bet for him to revive his career would be in Colorado where he could continue to swing for the fences in every at bat and actually go yard now and again.

The really big news of the day is Cameron Maybin‘s call-up. (Thanks to Josh for getting that news posted quickly). We’ll have lots to talk about in the near future as it relates to Mr. Maybin. (Wonder what number he will wear? He needs a good one; a power-hitter’s number. If it weren’t already assigned to Bobby Seay, I’m thinking 44 would work.) Update — From Danny Knobler at 5 p.m. ET: Maybin will wear #4 and bat second.

The intriguing move to come out of the Tigers camp is Omar Infante being sent out to Toledo and Ramon Santiago taking his place. I figured it was a matter of time before Santiago came up. He’s too good a fielder not to be playing short for the Tigers in key situations — i.e., when Carlos Guillen is illin’ or playing first — and Jim Leyland loves the guy. (Side note: It was a year ago yesterday that Santiago got called up from AAA and proved to be mighty handy in the postseason.)

With Ryan Raburn contributing like mad, Joel Zumaya coming back soon and Fernando Rodney putting it together, this Tigers roster becomes more intriguing by the day. But thankfully without Craig Monroe.

And somewhere Rod Allen weeps.