MINNEAPOLIS -- The Tigers hope that right-hander Jordan Zimmermann can return to the team as early as Sept. 10, barring any setbacks in his rehab, according to manager Brad Ausmus.
Zimmermann is slated to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday as the next step in his rehab following a 30-pitch simulated game on Sunday. If the bullpen session goes well, the Tigers are hoping to get Zimmermann three rehab starts with Triple-A Toledo before moving him back into the Major League rotation.
Zimmermann, 30, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Aug. 7 with tightness in his right lat, an aggravation of an injury that had sent him to the DL earlier in the season.
He was 9-5 with a 4.44 ERA in 16 starts this season but allowed six earned runs in 1 2/3 innings on Aug. 4 against the White Sox in his only start between the two DL stints.
Worth noting
• In a best-case scenario, shortstop José Iglesias could be activated from the DL as soon as Friday, when the Tigers return to Detroit to open a six-game homestand. Iglesias went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in his first rehab start with Toledo on Monday.
• Outfielder Cameron Maybin is feeling good after returning from the DL on Sunday, several days earlier than expected. Even so, Ausmus slotted Maybin into the ninth spot in the lineup in Tuesday's opener in Minnesota as a precautionary measure.
"Maybe it's one less at-bat," Ausmus said. "He still has some soreness in there."