Jackson still sore, hoping to start rehab stint soon

BALTIMORE -- Austin Jackson went through a full batting practice on Saturday, hitting outside at Camden Yards before shagging fly balls. However, he had some lingering soreness in his left hamstring which has manager Jim Leyland concerned.

"He was sore today, so I don't really have anything for you," Leyland said.

Jackson said the soreness simply lingered from running the bases on Friday, which he did at about 80 percent speed.

"It was just sore from the first time running the bases," Jackson said.

All the same, Jackson did not run the bases Saturday.

"Just took it easy today," he said.

The running is the biggest test for Jackson. Everything else is a matter of getting back to game readiness again after spending the last three weeks on the disabled list.

Jackson is expected to do more work Sunday. If that goes well, he'll meet with Tigers staffers, including the training staff, to determine the next step, which could be a Minor League rehab assignment.

"I don't want the kid to take his time, and I don't want him to rush himself," Leyland said. "I want him to just, whatever happens, the nature of it should take care of it.