Tigers may soon send three to Toledo for rehab stints

Minneapolis — Heads up, Mud Hens. There could be some temporary additions to your roster coming in the next week or so.

Pitchers Jordan Zimmermann and Alex Wilson, as well as third baseman Jeimer Candelario, could be headed to Toledo for rehab assignments.

Zimmermann, recovering from shoulder impingement, and Wilson, plantar fasciitis in his left foot, both ran and threw off flat ground before the game Monday. Wilson did a battery of agility drills, as well.

“I am shooting for June 1, as far being activated (on the Tigers roster),” said Wilson, who has been out since May 8. “I still have to pass some tests, as far as agility things, so I can field my position.”

Wilson will throw off a mound for the first time Tuesday. He expects to make at least two rehab appearances between now and June 1. But before that, he needs to be able to come off the mound, field his position and cover first base.

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“I tried to do some agility work two days ago and I wasn’t ready,” Wilson said. “It was better today and we’ll do more agility work tomorrow and see how it goes. I can pitch right now. I just can’t move. That’s the frustrating part.

“I can actually pitch, but I can’t field my position — which, unfortunately, is a big part of it.”

Pitching coach Chris Bosio had Wilson holding his weight on his left foot for a couple of extra beats after releasing his throw. He also had him do some side-steps and quick change of direction moves.

“It’s still a little touchy,” Wilson said. “Jogging is fine. It’s that first quick step where it kind of grabs me still. I am waiting to see when that feels like going away.”

Wilson said the pain is akin to a bad cramp in the middle of his foot.

“Basically, it’s just a matter of when this will let me be athletic again,” he said.

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Zimmerman's plan

Manager Ron Gardenhire said Zimmermann, out since May 6, will make two and possibly three rehab starts before he’s activated.

“That’s all Boz,” Gardenhire said. “He’s got a program he’s used for a long time and that’s what we’re going to go with. But Zimm is doing great. He’s chomping now. He’s ready to get going.”

Zimmermann will throw at least two bullpen sessions before he starts his rehab stint.

Candy man

Candelario (left wrist tendonitis) is eligible to come off the disabled list on Wednesday.

“I talked to him today by the batting cage,” Gardenhire said. “He was smiling big. He wasn’t feeling anything (in the wrist).”

Physically, it sounds like Candelario is ready to play. But the Tigers may not want to just throw him back into the fire without facing live pitching.

“We’re talking about it,” Gardenhire said of a possible rehab stint. “He needs at-bats. The smart thing might be to let him go get real action down there, rather than just batting practice. Just let him swing the bat again before we bring him back.”

Last but not least

Miguel Cabrera (hamstring strain) took batting practice in Seattle on Saturday and had a treatment-only day Sunday. He also took about 10 to 15 ground balls at first base on Saturday.

The plan is for him to do more on field work Monday and Tuesday. He was on the field stretching and warming up with the rest of the hitters before the Tigers took batting practice Monday.

“He’s feeling really good, I know that,” Gardenhire said. “He’s taking a lot of swings. But we’re going to keep letting him take it day by day, depending on how he feels.”

cmccosky@detroitnews.com

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