DETROIT -- The Tigers' roster has been stabilizing recently as the swath of injuries that consumed the team begin to dissipate. The pitching staff, and the starting rotation especially, has lagged behind in the recovery, but Detroit is getting one of its starters back on the mound.
Jordan Zimmermann (2-0, 4.88 ERA) will make a rehab start on Monday for Class A West Michigan, and the Tigers are hoping to insert him into the rotation five or six days after that, according to manager Ron Gardenhire.
A Major Leaguer going all the way down to Class A for a rehab start might sound odd at first, but Triple-A Toledo will be in Indianapolis for four days starting Monday. Gardenhire also said there is no attention being paid to the opponent. It's about getting Zimmermann's pitch count up again before he makes his return.
"Toledo is somewhere in another part of the world, so rather than him traveling, this just makes it easier," Gardenhire said Sunday before the Tigers' series finale against the Indians. "We just want to get his pitch count up now. His arm is feeling great, all that stuff. We just want to get his pitches up there between 70 and 90 pitches."
Gardenhire said Zimmermann had no problems making another rehab start. Zimmermann has made two rehab starts in Toledo. In his last, on June 6, he threw 4 1/3 innings with one run allowed, two walks and five strikeouts. He threw 72 pitches.
When Zimmermann does return, Gardenhire said he doesn't know who will be bumped from the rotation. The Tigers currently have two spot starters going in Blaine Hardy (2-1, 3.66) and Artie Lewicki (0-1, 3.86).