Updated: August 20, 2007, 4:32 PM ET

Reeling Tigers activate hard-throwing reliever Zumaya

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DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers will recall Joel Zumaya from his rehabilitation assignment to be active for Tuesday night's game against the Cleveland Indians.

Detroit optioned right-hander Aquilino Lopez to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, clearing room for Zumaya.

Joel Zumaya

Zumaya

Zumaya, whose fastball regularly tops 100 mph, had surgery three months ago to repair a ruptured tendon in his right middle finger. He was put on the disabled list May 3 with a 1-1 record, 3.63 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 13 appearances this season.

The right-handed setup man ranked third among AL relievers with 97 strikeouts last season, helping Detroit reach the playoffs for the first time since 1987 and advance to the World Series for the first time since 1984.

The slumping Tigers open a homestand Tuesday night against Cleveland, which has a 1½-game lead over them in the AL Central, before starting a four-game series with the New York Yankees, who lead Detroit by 2½ games in the wild-card race. Last week, Detroit split a two-game series in Cleveland and lost three of four in New York after winning the series opener.

Since the Tigers had the best record in baseball on July 21, they are 9-20.

The Tigers' bullpen, considered among baseball's best, received a boost when right-handed set-up man Fernando Rodney came off the disabled list Aug. 4. Rodney has bot allowed a run in six appearances since returning from the DL.

Meanwhile, the offense is due for some lineup changes. All-Star second baseman Placido Polanco is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday after missing six straight games because of the flu. And manager Jim Leyland said Ryan Raburn will be at third base instead of Brandon Inge, who is struggling with a .242 batting average and .317 on-base percentage.

Lopez had one save and a 5.19 ERA in 10 games for Detroit. He struck out seven and walked six over 17 1/3 innings.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.