CHICAGO -- J.D. Martinez spent Thursday morning having a doctor examine his sprained right foot, but there doesn't appear to be any sign of a setback. The injured Tigers outfielder is getting a progressing report on how his foot is healing after it came out of a cast on Monday.
Martinez said last week that pain in his foot out of the cast would be a bad sign and would probably lead to a follow-up visit with Dr. Robert Anderson, the specialist who examined his foot last month. This doesn't appear to be that scenario.
"He said he felt great," manager Brad Ausmus, who talked with Martinez on Wednesday night. "They like the progress he's made. There's no negatives on J.D."
Martinez is doing physical therapy and exercises, with hopes for workouts coming up. He's two weeks removed from the diagnosis of a lisfranc ligament sprain in the middle of his foot, and a timetable of three to four weeks for a return to game activity.
Ausmus explains rotation change
The Tigers raised eyebrows after Wednesday's postponement when they moved up Matthew Boyd to start Thursday instead of pushing back Jordan Zimmermann or keeping Daniel Norris on turn. But Ausmus said there were multiple reasons behind it.
"Zim was sick a couple days ago. He was throwing up," Ausmus said. "We figured we could give him some extra days to get back to full strength. We could maneuver it so Norris, who had that fatigued shoulder a couple starts ago, could get a little extra time. We could give [Justin Verlander] an extra day. And Boyd hasn't pitched since last Thursday anyways, so he's well-rested. So there were a lot of reasons to do it, not many reasons not to."
Zimmermann is in line in pitch Saturday against the Red Sox, followed by Norris on Sunday opposite former Tiger Rick Porcello. Verlander is scheduled to match up against former White Sox ace and longtime Tigers nemesis Chris Sale in Monday's series finale.
Zimmermann feels better now, according to Ausmus. Norris said he feels fine but understands the precaution.
Quick hits
• Hall of Fame electee Ivan Rodriguez is scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Friday's home opener, the Tigers announced on Twitter. Former Red Wings great Nicklas Lidstrom is scheduled to do the same on Sunday in honor of the last Wings game at Joe Louis Arena that day.
• Omar Infante rejoined the Tigers' organization on a Minor League contract and reported to Triple-A Toledo. He was in the Mud Hens' lineup at second base for their season opener Thursday at Indianapolis.
• Jose Iglesias confirmed he has changed agents to Magnus Sports, part of the Magnus Media company founded by entertainer Marc Anthony.
"This move wasn't because something was going the wrong way at all," said Iglesias, previously represented by Scott Boras. "It's just because I feel I'm in a better place, not just in baseball but off baseball as well. My communication with Marc and the guys is incredible."