DETROIT -- Jose Mesa's return from his two-game suspension likely means some rest for Fernando Rodney after struggling through the first two games of the season. But Rodney actually wants more work when he can get it.

The sometimes-dominant setup man has given up more earned runs through two games than he did in 22 appearances during April and May combined in 2006. And he believes he's feeling out of sync.

"There's a couple things I have to get together," he said. "I'm feeling good and I want to pitch. I think I'll get it back together."

Rodney found his way into trouble in two different ways. Unlike his usual struggles, he quickly got ahead of hitters in Monday's season opener, putting five of the seven batters he faced in two-strike counts. However, he struggled to finish them off. He walked Vernon Wells in a nine-pitch at-bat, hit Frank Thomas after putting him in an 0-2 count, then gave up a go-ahead single to Troy Glaus on an 0-2 changeup that caught too much of the plate.

Wednesday's struggles were different. He entered in a 10-6 game and gave up an RBI infield single to Reed Johnson, followed by back-to-back doubles from Lyle Overbay and Vernon Wells to draw Toronto within a run. Rodney recovered for back-to-back outs on 3-1 pitches, the third out coming on a Glaus popup that right fielder Magglio Ordonez battled to track down through the wind.

"I know this can happen sometimes," Rodney said. "Sometimes you have a good open to the season. Sometimes you don't have it good, like what I have now. But I feel in myself I can come back and do what I do."

Rodney thinks the problem stems from an inconsistent fastball. If he can't spot it where he wants, he has trouble using it to set up his changeup. The more he throws, he believes, the better he'll be able to solve the problem.

"I think for me it's more work," he said, "I think more pitches."

As for Mesa: Not only will the veteran's return from suspension mean he'll finally be able to play for his new team, he'll also finally have a chance to watch his new club. Because of the suspension, he wasn't able to be in the clubhouse Monday and Wednesday -- let alone be in uniform. He was at home for the two games, but he wasn't able to watch them on TV.

It was an odd feeling, he said, "especially when you just joined the team for the first time, and you just beginning the season. It's tough, but nothing you can do about it."

Rogers grateful: Kenny Rogers was back home in Texas on Thursday resting his arm, but he was glad he was able to make the trip to Detroit for Wednesday's presentation of the American League championship rings.

"It was terrific," Rogers wrote in an e-mail. "It was great to be there, even if it was only for a day. Mr. [Mike] Ilitch did a fantastic job on the rings. It is beautiful! Can't wait to get back healthy and do it again."

Last of the ring-wearers: Though eight members of the Toledo Mud Hens made the trip to Comerica Park to receive their rings Wednesday, one Tigers Minor Leaguer couldn't make the trip. Andrew Miller, now pitching for Class A Lakeland after spending the final month of last season in Detroit, was presented with his ring Wednesday in Lakeland by Tigers Minor League operations director Dan Lunetta.

Injury update: Vance Wilson had a session of short tossing Wednesday and felt OK, but he said there wasn't much to tell since he didn't have to rear back and throw. He was scheduled to see a doctor Thursday and receive a rehab schedule before the team left for Kansas City.

Wilson will accompany the team on the road. He's eligible to be activated from the 15-day disabled list on April 14, the next-to-last day of the 10-game trip.

Had the Tigers played Thursday, manager Jim Leyland said, Craig Monroe would've been rested in favor of Marcus Thames in left field. Monroe is battling some slight strain, Leyland said, though he didn't specify where.

"He kind of felt something funny. It was no big deal," Leyland said. "He was ready to play and all that. But I said, 'Well, if there's any risk of [aggravating] that at all -- particularly in this weather -- why would I play him?' He's struggling a little bit to start with. It's a perfect day to get Marcus four at-bats."

The unexpected off-day also benefited Joel Zumaya, whom Leyland said has been getting over shin splints. Zumaya pitched on Monday but not Wednesday.

Coming up: The Tigers left Thursday afternoon for Kansas City, where they'll start a three-game series against the Royals on Friday night with an 8:10 p.m. ET contest. Justin Verlander, who was scheduled to start Thursday, will instead make his season debut Friday opposite Jorge De La Rosa.