DETROIT – Tigers manager Jim Leyland is already thinking about Friday’s series opener against the Chicago White Sox, and it appears Carlos Guillen might be among those penciled in the starting lineup.

Guillen, sidelined since Aug. 13 with a sore left wrist, is already eligible to return from the disabled list and has been on a rehab assignment in Triple-A Toledo since Monday. “I don’t know that for a fact,” Leyland said, “but, I think I’m playing Guillen on Friday night.”

Guillen went 4-for-5 with two runs scored for Toledo on Tuesday and is hitting .625 with three doubles and an RBI in his past two rehab starts. He could return to the big league club as early as Thursday.

Leyland said Magglio Ordonez could make a start on Friday, too. Ordonez is 5-for-18 in his past five appearances since the club’s acquisition of outfielder Delmon Young. The 37-year-old is riding a six-game hit streak and is hitting .318 since Aug. 15.

“I’m not sticking him in there because I like him,” Leyland said. “I mean, I do like him a lot, but I don’t play guys because I like them.”