ALDS Game 4 - Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics

Andy Dirks will likely start a rehabilitation assignment in a week to 10 days.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

DETROIT -- Barring a setback, Detroit Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks appears to be a week or so from starting a rehabilitation assignment. That means, barring a setback, he could be back in action for the Tigers before the All-Star break.

Dirks took live swings in an intrasquad game Friday in Lakeland, Fla., and appears likely to start a rehab assignment in the next seven to 10 days, according to manager Brad Ausmus and head athletic trainer Kevin Rand.

Andy Dirks

"Dirks is doing full baseball activities," Rand said. "He did some live swings in an intrasquad game today. He's prepared to play in a couple more intrasquad games and once he's ready to start his rehab progression, then we'll make an announcement."

Rand was asked about the estimate of seven to 10 days that Ausmus had shared with media members a few minutes earlier.

"I would say that's probably reasonable," he said. "He's getting close. We'll see how he plays. They've had a lot of rain down in Lakeland. They were trying to play an intersquad yesterday and they didn't get it in. They did play today, but they weren't able to base run, and we want to see him base run. They're going to try to do that tomorrow."

Ausmus said he spoke with Dirks on Friday.

"He said he's feeling better," Ausmus said. "Overall, he's making progress like he's on schedule. He's making progress like he's supposed to."

The Tigers originally estimated that Dirks would return about 12 weeks after having back surgery in March, which would have put him back in the lineup early in June. It appears now that the latest he would return -- barring a setback -- would be right around the All-Star break.

Players are limited to 20 days while on a rehabilitation assignment.

The return of Dirks could provide an interesting decision for Tigers management. J.D. Martinez has provided some pop off the bench, which is something the Tigers have been lacking in recent years. But Martinez has options remaining and could be sent to Triple-A Toledo without having to clear waivers.

The other player who could be in jeopardy of losing his spot to Dirks would be Don Kelly who, like Dirks, hits left-handed. But the Tigers like the flexibility Kelly provides and would have to designate him for assignment rather than option him to Triple-A Toledo.

The Tigers would risk losing Kelly through waivers and also because Kelly could opt to refuse an assignment to the minors since he has been designated for assignment before.

Dirks hit .256 with a .686 OPS in 131 games for the Tigers in 2013 after hitting .322 with an .857 OPS in 2012.

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