Ex-Durant star expected to make Tigers' roster

Just call the Detroit Tigers Hillsborough County's team. The squad is likely to open the 2008 season with three players from Hillsborough County on the roster -- starting pitcher Kenny Rogers (Plant City), designated hitter Gary Sheffield (Hillsborough) and utility player Ryan Raburn (Durant). The first two were locks to make the team. Raburn was not.

But late Friday night, MLB.com reported Raburn is "expected" to be on the roster when Detroit begins the regular season Monday. As a mid-season callup from Triple-A last year, Raburn, 26, batted .304. Despite that, he had been on pins and needles recently as Tigers manager Jim Leyland pondered how he would finalize the team's 25-man roster.

Raburn's versatility was key to him making the squad. He can play second or third base, and any position in the outfield. He batted .245 this spring.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

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Lucky guy...it is going to be fun to be a Tiger this year.......fans up in Michigan are loyal and the stands will be packed....