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Jose Iglesias was the fifth Tiger to go on the disabled list in the last nine days.

(Mike Mulholland, MLive)

ARLINGTON, Texas -- In the last nine days, 20 percent of the Detroit Tigers roster -- three starting position players and two starting pitchers -- have been placed on the disabled list.

The most recent player, shortstop Jose Iglesias, suffered a hamstring strain on Wednesday and was placed on the DL before the Tigers' game at Texas on Friday.

The good news is that all five players are expected back before the end of the season. The bad news? Some of the injuries -- like a balky back and a tight hamstring -- can be unpredictable.

Here's what we know as of Friday:

MIKE PELFREY

Pelfrey's back flared up during a start on July 31, but he planned to work through the discomfort without going on the disabled list. But the pain got worse, and his back locked up.

"I had a good day and I bend down to put on my socks for the game and couldn't get back up," Pelfrey said last week. "It locked up and went into a spasm and set me back. So I said, 'OK, I'm not fighting it anymore.'"

Went on DL: Aug. 3 (retroative to Aug. 1)

Earliest return: Aug. 16

Best guess at return: early September

Current status: Pelfrey has spent the road trip in Detroit. Manager Brad Ausmus said the team didn't want a long flight to aggravate his back. He has not yet resumed throwing.

JORDAN ZIMMERMANN

Zimmermann made only one abbreviated start after spending a month on the disabled list. He experienced right lat tightness, exited the game in the second inning and ultimately returned to the disabled list.

Went on DL: Aug. 7 (retroactive to Aug. 5)

Earliest return: Aug. 20

Best guess at return: late August

Current status: Zimmermann met the team in Texas and was cleared to begin playing catch. Once he's able to throw off a mound, the team will have decide if -- or for long -- he needs to go on a rehab assignment.

NICK CASTELLANOS

Castellanos suffered a "non-displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal in his left hand" when he was hit by a pitch from Mets starter Logan Verrett on Aug. 6.

Went on DL: Aug. 7

Earliest return: Aug. 22

Best guess at return: early September

Current status: Recovery time can vary, but Ausmus estimated it would take a minimum of four weeks.

Castellanos wears a splint on his hand that he removes only to shower or get treatment. He's continue to work out to be ready for his return.

"I want to make sure that I come back, my body just hasn't been sitting on the bench for four weeks," he said.

CAMERON MAYBIN

Maybin injured his thumb while making a diving catch in the outfield. After the problems persisted for a few days, a new test revealed a Grade 2 sprain requiring a DL stint.

Went on DL: Wednesday (retroactive to Aug. 4)

Earliest return: Aug. 19

Best guess at return: late August

Current status: Maybin was able to take batting practice after the injury, albeit with great pain, so it might be a matter of just giving the injury some more time to heal.

JOSE IGLESIAS

Iglesias strained his left hamstring while running to first base Wednesday in Seattle. After a day of rest, he tested it out on Friday in Texas without success. The Tigers placed him on the DL before the game.

Went on DL: Friday.

Earliest return: Aug. 27

Best guess at return: late August

Current status: Iglesias didn't have much information about what came next, although there will probably be some sort of testing to ensure it's not a more serious tear.

Hamstrings can be pesky and unpredictable, but the Tigers are hoping some rest will do the trick. Ausmus said he's optimistic that Iglesias will require only the minimum 15 days on the DL.