The Detroit Tigers today purchased the contract of Kamehameha Schools alum Dane Sardinha and could start him at catcher tomorrow against St. Louis.

Sardinha replaces Brandon Inge, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a pulled side muscle.

The Tigers purchased Sardinha's contract from Triple-A Toledo.

Sardinha will be the backup to Ivan Rodriguez, but manager Jim Leyland said in a story at the team's Web site that Sardinha could get the start tomorrow.

Sardinha, 29, hit .206 at Toledo with six home runs and 16 RBIs. He has five major league career at-bats (0 for 5) in two games (one each in 2003 and 2005) for Cincinnati.

Inge was hitting .215 in 52 games with six home runs and 23 RBIs. The move with the catcher-designated hitter was made retroactive to Monday.