Separated shoulder to end Worth's season

DETROIT -- A season that began badly for Danny Worth in Triple-A Toledo will end even worse with the Tigers. The versatile utility infielder is done for the season after separating his left shoulder on a diving stop at third a week and a half ago in Kansas City.

The injury will not require surgery, Worth has been told, but doctors recommended a six-week rehab program. He'll undergo his end-of-season physical on Tuesday, then drive back home to California with his wife.

The Tigers were hoping Worth's arm would respond to rest, but even running put his shoulder in pain, eliminating the option of using him just to pinch-run. The only baseball activity can he do is throw.

"I was going to pinch-run a couple days after [the injury]," Worth said, "and I went down to warm up. But when I moved my arm back, it was killing me. So I was like, 'Oh boy.'"

Thus ends a season that began with Worth being a legitimate candidate to make the Opening Day roster. He lasted in camp until the end of Spring Training before losing out to Ramon Santiago for the utility infield job. Worth reported to Toledo, bruised his left heel lunging for first base April 18, made it back to Toledo in mid-June, hit .238 with a home run and 22 RBIs in 69 games for the Mud Hens, and then finally joined the Tigers as a September callup.

Worth appeared in three games as a late-inning defensive replacement before his shoulder popped out on a diving stop at third base. He had replaced Miguel Cabrera in the 16-2 win over the Royals.

"It's been a year-long frustration adventure," Worth summarized.