Quick hits

• Detroit outfielder Andy Dirks has continued to participate in light baseball activities, according to Ausmus. He is rehabbing a back injury that has kept him out the entire season. The injury originally called for about a three-month recovery time and Dirks is closing in on that checkpoint.

• Ausmus called the play Nick Castellanos made on a bunt by Michael Bourn likely the "best overall play" the third baseman has made in his career. Castellanos threw out Cleveland's speedy center fielder in the bottom of the 13th inning Wednesday, though the Tigers eventually lost later in the frame on a walk-off balk.