AL Central Notes: Tigers, A-Rod, Twins, Frazier

Here’s the latest from around the AL Central…

• The Tigers aren’t likely to pursue outfield help unless Cameron Maybin has a setback, manager Brad Ausmus told reporters, including MLB.com’s Jason Beck.  Maybin is on the 15-day DL with a sprained left thumb and hasn’t begun swinging a bat yet, so while a return by the end of the 15-day period (on Friday) doesn’t appear to be in the cards, Ausmus is optimistic that Maybin will be back sooner rather than later.  Tyler Collins has been filling while Maybin is out, though as Beck notes, there was speculation that Carlos Gomez could be a fit for Detroit.
• The Twins don’t look like a match for Alex Rodriguez, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes.  Minnesota probably isn’t in any position to give at-bats to a veteran when the team has so many young players, and A-Rod’s inability to play the field is also a factor.  “We’ve got a lot of DHs.  If you’d ask me if he’d be a fit here, I don’t see how we could find any place to get him much of an opportunity,” manager Paul Molitor said.
• Todd Frazier hopes to stay with the White Sox even if the team undergoes a rebuild, as Frazier tells MLB.com’s Scott Merkin that he would embrace the role as veteran leader of a younger clubhouse.  “If I was here, shoot man, it would be great.  I know what it takes to lead a team….These guys understand that I care for all of them.  If that’s the way [GM Rick Hahn’s] going, and I’m still here, I’ll take that with open arms,” Frazier said.