Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox - July 29

Joakim Soria has been on the disabled list since Aug. 10 due to an oblique injury.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

MINNEAPOLIS -- Joakim Soria is on the mend. But when the right-handed relief pitcher will return to play for the Detroit Tigers remains unclear.

Soria threw Saturday and was slated to throw again Sunday, according to Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, who is encouraged by the progress Soria is making.

"He felt a lot better yesterday than he had felt previously in Tampa when he threw," Ausmus said Sunday morning. "In the last three days, he's trended upward quite a bit."

Soria has been on the disabled list since Aug. 10 due to a left oblique strain. He is eligible to come off the disabled list in time for the team's series opener Tuesday at Comerica Park against the New York Yankees, but it's unclear when he'll return.

Ausmus was asked what the next step would be for Soria if his throwing session Sunday went well.

"I can't answer that," Ausmus said. "I'm not sure."

The Tigers obtained Soria last month in a trade that sent starting pitcher Jake Thompson and relief pitcher Corey Knebel to the Texas Rangers, but he pitched in just six games for the Tigers before going on the disabled list.

Soria has allowed five earned runs on 10 hits in five innings of work since joining the Tigers. He had a 2.70 ERA and a 0.870 WHIP in 36 games with the Rangers.

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