The move seems to be a sign that the left-handed pitcher is closer to returning to Detroit and not letting agent Scott Boras shop his services to the highest bidder.

"I still hope to be in a Tiger uniform in 2008," Rogers wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press earlier this week before reports surfaced that he fired agent Boras.

The Tigers have been busy since the season ended, exercising the option on Ivan Rodriguez's contract to keep him behind the plate, trading for shortstop Edgar Renteria and outfielder Jacque Jones and re-signing closer Todd Jones.

Detroit wanted to include bringing back Rogers in the flurry of deals, but Boras informed the ballclub that he and Rogers were going to explore other options.

That conflicted statements Rogers made throughout the season about wanting to pitch for the Tigers, if the 43-year-old starter chose not to retire.

Also this month, Boras client Alex Rodriguez used a managing director at Goldman Sachs to negotiate the outline of a $275 million, 10-year deal with the Yankees. Boras and New York are working to finalize the agreement.

Rogers was 3-4 with a 4.43 ERA in an injury-shortened season for the Tigers after helping them reach the 2006 World Series. He turns 43 on Saturday.

Over 19 seasons, Rogers is 210-143 with a 4.43 ERA and is a four-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner. For the first time since 2001, he did not win at least 13 games.

Rogers was limited to just 11 starts after having surgery before last season to remove a blood clot from his left shoulder and repair arteries. He went back on the DL later in the year with inflammation in his elbow.

The Tigers gave Rogers a $16 million, two-year contract before the 2006 season and he put together a third straight season with an All-Star appearance and added a Gold Glove award, helping the Tigers reach the World Series for the first time since 1984.