Willingham will take on-field batting practice

DETROIT -- Outfielder Josh Willingham is set to take batting practice on the field on Saturday to mark the first time he's been able to do that since going on the 15-day disabled list on April 7 with a small fracture in his left wrist.

Willingham, who originally injured his wrist when he was hit by a pitch from Indians right-hander Justin Masterson on April 6, took Friday off from swinging. But he took 20 swings during soft toss and tee drills on both Wednesday and Thursday.

Willingham is expected to go out on a rehab assignment once he's cleared to play, as he hasn't played in a game for more than a month.

Willingham, 35, was hitting .294/.435/.353 with a double and an RBI in six games before the injury.