NEW YORK -- Doug Fister does not know what the next step is. But he knows the most recent one he took was a good one.

Fister, who has been on the disabled list since April 8 due to a left costochondral strain, threw about 50 pitches off the mound Thursday. Reviews were positive.

"He had a really good session yesterday and feels really good today," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Friday. "There were no setbacks. When he works out, everybody wants to know how it went, and it went fine, but the next day is usually a big day for somebody like that. So today, he feels good. Exactly what that means, I don't know."

Fister said he didn't know what the next step is, but he was pleased with how he felt Thursday.

"It was a decent bullpen," Fister said. "I'm looking forward to the next one."

The session Thursday marked the first time he threw off a mound since April 17, when pain in his abdomen forced him to cut a session short after just 12 pitches.

Fister started the second game of the season for the Tigers and threw 3 2/3 innings of shutout ball before leaving due to the injury.

Fister was eligible to return from the disabled list last week but is not ready to return. Leyland said it is very likely that Fister will make a rehabilitation start in the minors before returning to start for the Tigers.

"I would think so at this point," Leyland said. "We were hoping originally that wouldn't have to happen, but it's probably going to."

Injury update Leyland said Luis Marte has taken the next step in his rehabilitation from a left hamstring strain by throwing to live hitters in Lakeland, Fla.… Leyland said Andy Dirks did not have any setbacks Thursday after returning from a hamstring injury and is available to play the outfield tonight against the Yankees.

