ST. PETERSBURG -- The Tigers will have Shane Greene back for their upcoming three-game series against the defending World Series Champion Astros. With the veteran closer's return, Detroit also has a potential trade piece back on the field ahead of the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.
Greene will be activated from the 10-day disabled list on Friday, the team announced after Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field. Reliever Victor Alcantara was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to make room.
Greene went on the DL on July 2 with a right shoulder strain, an injury that had been bothering him for a while. Once an exam from Dr. Greg Pearl showed no structural damage, Greene went back to work with a goal of returning before the All-Star break.
Greene resumed throwing off a mound this week. After his Wednesday morning session went well, he was cleared to return.
The 29-year-old Greene returns with a 4.03 ERA over 39 appearances with 19 saves. He has allowed 36 hits over 38 innings with 11 walks and 42 strikeouts. The concern with Greene has come from his seven home runs allowed, along with a recent drop in velocity that is believed to be related to his shoulder. His sinker, which averages 95 mph, dipped in velocity over the last couple weeks until falling to 92 mph in his July 1 outing at Toronto.
Greene's return deepens the bullpen, with All-Star Joe Jimenez expected to return to eighth-inning setup work. But if Greene can prove he's healthy, he could be a trade piece for a team seeking bullpen help, though interest was believed to be waning before the injury.
Alcantara tossed three scoreless innings with a walk and a strikeout since his call-up last week.