An .077 batting average isn't the only reason Bobby Higginson didn't play this weekend. His right elbow is so sore and swollen that a stretch on the disabled list isn't being ruled out. When asked Sunday why outfielder Marcus Thames had been used lately against right-handed pitching (such as when Craig Monroe was ejected Saturday night), Tigers manager Alan Trammell said of Higginson, "He's struggling, but the elbow situation also has come into play. "It swelled up on him the other day -- after Thursday's game. He's available, but only on a limited basis." Very limited, apparently. "When I got up Friday morning," Higginson said after the Tigers' 10-1 victory over the Angels on Sunday, "it was all swollen. "It just blew up. I couldn't even move it. I don't know why. "Something happened. I don't remember one specific thing. But it's been bothering me for a couple of years now. There's some stuff in there -- fluid, but maybe some bone spurs. "If I can get the inflammation down, I can play. But I can't even bend it the way it is. "It's the last thing on me to go, and it's going now. I guess that's what happens with age." Higginson will turn 35 in August.