Victor Martinez

Victor Martinez could return to the lineup for the Detroit Tigers as early as Tuesday.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Friday that Victor Martinez needed about a week's worth of at-bats to be ready for the season.

It looks like that's almost exactly what Martinez is going to get.

Martinez is scheduled to get at-bats in minor league games for three consecutive days starting today and could return to the lineup for the Tigers as early as Tuesday, manager Brad Ausmus said Saturday morning.

"I watched him run yesterday," Ausmus said. "He said he's fine. He said he felt absolutely nothing. He really hasn't felt anything in about five days."

Martinez has been out of action since leaving a game early March 14 due to a mild left hamstring strain.

Ausmus said Martinez will get a maximum of five at-bats today with the number for Sunday and Monday to still be determined. He said Martinez will run the bases but has been instructed to not push it.

"If it's a double, take a double," Ausmus said. "But don't try to make something out of nothing."

TIGERS NOTES

Plan in place: Ausmus said the Tigers intend to carry 12 pitchers -- five starters and seven relief pitchers -- on their opening day roster. "We think it's going to be normal, yeah," Ausmus said. "We don't think there's going to be a lot of roster manipulation." Ausmus said whether the Tigers carry two or three left-handers in the bullpen is partially dependent on whether Blaine Hardy is healthy and able to pitch at that point. If Hardy is unable to go, Kyle Ryan would make the roster as the second left-hander. There is a chance both Hardy and Ryan could make the team, but it seems doubtful at this point that Hardy (left shoulder impingement) will be ready.

Sanchez pitching: Anibal Sanchez is pitching in a minor league game today on one of the back fields at the spring training facility in Lakeland. He was scheduled to throw 65 to 70 pitches and remains on track to start for the Tigers the second game of the season. Sanchez has one more spring start scheduled.

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