Injury to blame for Raburn's struggles: The Sports Xchange reports Tigers 2B/LF Ryan Raburn might have had a poor first half to the 2011 season because he had a "V-shaped" break in his left index finger suffered when he slid into second base at Target Field on May 11 at Minnesota. Raburn was batting .253 with four home runs in April before a .113 May with no home runs. He went on his usual second-half tear about the time his finger healed, batting .275 in July, .323 in August, and .383 in September. "I don't know how to explain it," said Raburn, who probably will platoon at second with INF Ramon Santiago this year. The injury originally went undiagnosed, and by the time it was discovered the healing process was nearly complete. "It's just injuries," Raburn said. "Everyone plays with them." (Updated 01/29/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Raburn hit .285 with a .348 OBP and .846 OPS in 226 games from 2009-10. If he shows that kind of prowess for the entire season in 2012, then it might be tough for Detroit to sit him. But he has to prove he is a better everyday option than Santiago, who the Tigers like for his defense and veteran presence. Look to Raburn as more of an AL-only Fantasy option on Draft Day. (Updated 01/29/2012).
02/09/2012 01:58 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Detroit Tigers
Detroit has lofty expectations heading into the new season, and Fantasy owners are feeling pretty good about the options in the Motor City. Our Al Melchior takes a look at a team and who to target in his Fantasy team outlook.
Ryan Raburn can hit -- that much is certain. Granted, he doesn't usually begin to hit until the second half -- he has a career .300 batting average and .847 OPS after the All-Star break compared to .228 and .689 before it, hitting 29 of his 53 career homers in August and September -- but in the end, his power numbers are exactly where Fantasy owners want them to be. The problem is, after nearly four full seasons in the majors, he still doesn't have a defined role. The Tigers have tried him at second base but can't seem to overlook his defensive shortcomings there. They don't think he's consistent enough to hold down a corner outfield spot. They're obviously not going to try him at first base, and they always seem to have someone else occupying the DH role. If Raburn could get full-time at-bats, his power potential would make him an intriguing sleeper in Fantasy, especially since he's eligible at second base, but we've been down this road enough times to know how it ends. Even with the Tigers currently unsettled at DH and second base, Raburn is a sleeper better left for AL-only leagues. (Updated 1/25/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
