Mud Hens' catcher, Sardinha, called up to Detroit Tigers Wednesday

6/25/2008

DETROIT Catcher Dane Sardinha is the latest Mud Hen-turned-Tiger, called up from Toledo on Wednesday to take the roster spot of the injured Brandon Inge.

IInge, who was supposed to catch tonight against St. Louis, was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Monday with a pulled left oblique muscle.

Sardinha hit .206 with six homers and 16 RBIs in 48 games with the Hens. He went 3-for-5 in Toledo's 12-2 triumph over Syracuse last night.

Sardinha, 29, has appeared in two big-league games, both with Cincinnati. His last major league appearance was in 2005.

Also, the Tigers swapped right-handed pitchers with the Pittsburgh Pirates today, trading Denny Bautista for minor leaguer Kyle Pearson.

Pearson, 23, was 1-1 with a 6.85 ERA and four saves between the Pirates' Single-A and Double-A affiliates this year. He is listed as being on the disabled list, and hasn't pitched since May 18.

The Tigers designated Bautista for assignment June 20. He was 0-1 with a 3.32 ERA in 16 appearances this year.

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