DETROIT — Detroit outfielder Magglio Ordonez is back on the disabled list because of weakness in his surgically repaired right ankle.

Ordonez was put on the 15-day DL on Friday, retroactive to May 11. He has struggled to recover after breaking his ankle sliding into home plate last July. He’s hitting .172 with one home run and five RBIs in 26 games this season.

“He’s been feeling the effects of his ankle off and on during the season here,” trainer Kevin Rand said. “We decided to look at it, and to err on the side of caution, we’re shutting him down.”

Ordonez is being referred back to Dr. Phillip Kwong of the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles. Kwong handled Ordonez’s surgery in August.

Ordonez was in the clubhouse before Friday night’s game against Kansas City, but didn’t want to talk about his condition, indicating only that the injury doesn’t allow him to be the player he wants.

Rand said Ordonez has had some mild swelling, off and on.

“It’s just not as functional as you’d like it to be,” Rand said.

The Tigers said they would purchase the contract of outfielder Andy Dirks from Triple-A Toledo as soon as he arrived in Detroit. He was expected to join the Tigers for Friday night’s game, but was not listed in the starting lineup.

Detroit did have some better news to report on injured second baseman Carlos Guillen, who is recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee. Guillen was in the clubhouse as well and has started baseball-related activities again.

Guillen says he’s been able to hit, run and take groundballs, although there’s still no timetable for his return.

“It’s a good sign,” Guillen said. “I feel good today after all the stuff I did yesterday.”

First Published May 13, 2011, 11:15 p.m.