Andy Dirks to resume rehabilitation assignment on Friday

DETROIT — Thursday the Detroit Tigers announced that Andy Dirks will resume his rehabilitation assignment on Friday with the Single-A Michigan Whitecaps.

Because of the length of time Dirks missed after being recalled from his last rehab assignment, the 20-day minimum for Dirks to spend on assignment has been reset.

Contrary to the last time Dirks began his rehab assignment, however, he won't be starting from scratch because he had some playing time in Florida under his belt when he was placed back on the disabled list.

Dirks was originally recalled from Single-A Lakeland due to lower-back muscular inflammation and placed back on the disabled list on July 16. At the time, Dirks had a .313 batting average with a double, two walks and four strikeouts in six games with Lakeland.

Before returning to the Tigers, Dirks would more than likely move to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens to continue his recovery.

The current schedule means Dirks won't return to the Tigers until at least mid-August and because that leaves just two weeks until the expanded rosters take effect, there's a possibility he could remain with the Mud Hens until September 1.