"Detroit Tigers right fielder Magglio Ordonez was replaced in the bottom of the sixth inning Saturday night because he was "experiencing a little soreness in his right ankle," according to Tigers manager Jim Leyland.

Leyland said he wasn't taking any chances on a chilly night (53 degrees at game time), and will most likely sit Ordonez today rather than have him serve as designated hitter as originally planned.

"Let's not take any chances," Leyland said. "But I think it's very non-serious. He was not taken out because of the score (9-3 at the time).

"I don't want to make a big deal out of it because, to my knowledge, it's not a big deal."

Leyland said he did not know if Ordonez hurt the ankle -- which he broke July 24 and had surgery on one month later -- while making a strong running catch on the warning track in the third inning. Ordonez was not available for comment after the game.

When asked if Ordonez, who is hitless in seven at-bats, would play this afternoon, Leyland said, "If I had to guess right now, I'd say doubtful. I'm not saying he won't play. You just have to be careful. I'm not going to sleep on it; I'm just going to have to wait and see.""