Crosby upbeat about returning to action

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Left-hander Casey Crosby's bid for a spot in Detroit's bullpen might not be over yet. The converted starting prospect, sidelined for the past couple weeks with tendinitis in his triceps, is scheduled for a live batting-practice session Friday at Tigertown.

If all goes well, the session will put Crosby at the same point he stood in his throwing program when he was sidelined late last month. He had been dealing with some soreness going into his first live BP session before the team's medical staff shut him down.

Crosby sounded upbeat when talking about his return. He came into camp as a candidate for a bullpen spot after his injury-shortened 2013 season prompted team officials to move him out from a starting role. By shortening his outings, the Tigers hoped to not only improve his consistency, but his health.

When Crosby is cleared for game action, he'll join a lefty relief mix that includes veteran Phil Coke, new arrival Ian Krol, swingmen Jose Alvarez, Duane Below and Kyle Lobstein, and now-darkhorse candidate Blaine Hardy.