Davis the DH for first time in '13; Ishikawa at first

DETROIT -- Chris Davis was the Orioles' designated hitter on Wednesday afternoon against the Tigers for the first time this season, with manager Buck Showalter inserting Travis Ishikawa at first base in his place.

"I'd like to do it with more guys, but there's only one DH spot," Showalter said. "It's one of the assets that Trav brings, it gives us some time to [start] Chris [at DH] here or there. You won't see it much. Usually when you got an off-day, you try to do it. I try to do the benefit of two [days], because one doesn't do much for you. … Chris has been grinding it pretty good over there."

Davis entered Wednesday with a Major League-leading 24 homers. He was batting .332 with 61 RBIs as the team's everyday first baseman. Ishikawa, who was added to the roster on Tuesday, started for the second game, as the club takes a look at the infielder. The O's will have to make a roster move to add Miguel Gonzalez from the paternity leave list on Friday, and Ishikawa -- who took Gonzalez's spot -- could be the guy to go.