An internet report that the Tigers might be showcasing Rick Porcello at Toledo for the purpose of trading him, had Jim Leyland on the war path over the weekend.
    "That's totally irresponsible (bleeping) journalism," the seething Tigers' manager declared.
    "That (a trade involving Porcello) is not close to even being discussed."
    Leyland called the rumor, which first surfaced on on FOXsports.com and then took on a life of its own, "a blatant lie.
    "People don't realize, rumors like that hurt people," Leyland continued. "Now Porcello is sitting there wondering what's going on."
    In fact, Leyland revealed, Porcello will be recalled immediately after the All-Star break and will start against the Indians in their day-night doubleheader in Cleveland on July 17.
    The Tigers are not looking to trade the struggling Porcello, whom they still see as a prominent member of the starting rotation for many years to come.
    Which, Leyland readily admitted, is not to say the 21-year-old right hander wouldn't be available if another team knocked on the Tigers' door with the right offer.
    "Does that mean Porcello is untouchable? He's not," Leyland said. "If the Cardinals called offering Albert Pujols for him, we'd listen."   
    That also doesn't mean the Tigers wouldn't like to make a deal or two before the July 31 trade deadline.
    The Tigers would like to add another relief pitcher, preferably a veteran with some big league experience, to bolster their bullpen.
    "But at this point, to my knowledge, we have absolutely nothing going," Leyland said.