Tuiasosopo participating in pregame workouts

TORONTO -- The look on outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo's face was encouraging Monday morning as he readied to step up his workload in his rehab from a left ribcage strain. The sight of Tuiasosopo's swing on the field during batting practice was more encouraging.

For the first time since Tuiasosopo felt the strain on June 20, he's doing full pregame workouts, hitting regular batting practice, taking fly balls and running. As long as he feels fine, he'll continue to do that for the next couple days before the Tigers decide the next step.

"I feel good," Tuiasosopo said before Detroit's 8-3 loss to the Blue Jays. "The last couple days, hitting off the tee, I felt great."

Tuiasosopo is eligible to return from the 15-day disabled list on Sunday in Cleveland, but the Indians are on track to start right-hander Corey Kluber that day. That said, simply having Tuisosopo's bat on the bench could be an advantage. His replacement, Avisail Garcia, entered Monday in a 1-for-20 slump that included nine strikeouts.

For what it's worth, Triple-A Toledo returns home on Wednesday for an eight-game homestand, which could make for an easy rehab assignment and trip back to either Cleveland or Detroit.