Speculation on Saturday in one Detroit daily suggested the Tigers might decide to release Magglio Ordonez “at any point” to get out from under the costly options in his contract for 2010 and 2011.
        That story appeared the day after Ordonez went 2-for-4 and drove in the Tigers’ only run against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night -- a hitting performance that had manager Jim Leyland cautiously singing the 2007 batting champion’s praises after the game.
        Sitting in front of his locker in the Comerica Park clubhouse late Saturday afternoon, Ordonez could only smile and shake his head when he heard the news.
        “I’m finished?” he asked incredulously. “I’m released?
        “Maybe, every day, when I come to the ballpark, I should wave my arms and say, ‘Here I am.’ ”
        Granted, Ordonez’s power numbers -- two HRs, 20 RBI _ are down this year.
        But he is hitting .350 with eight doubles and seven RBI in his last 21 games -- during a period  when he worried constantly about the health of his wife who had to undergo major surgery.
        “Now that I know everything is fine, everything is taken care of, I feel more relaxed,” the 35-year-old Ordonez said Saturday.
        Whatsmore, Ordonez is batting .362 with runners in scoring position and he is 8-for-13 with a runner on third and two out.
        “How is he going to drive in runs if there’s nobody on base?” asked Carlos Guillen, in defense of his buddy.
        Going into Saturday night's game, Ordonez was batting .280.