Placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 3 with a persistent Achilles injury, banged-up Detroit Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks does not appear to be making quite as much progress as initially hoped, and is still not ready to resume baseball activities.
Leyland on Dirks: "He's not ready to start any baseball activities. We were hoping for that. We didn't get it." #Tigers
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) June 29, 2012
According to MLive.com's Chris Iott, the organization was initially expecting Dirks to have his walking boot removed on Friday, but the 26-year-old outfielder wasn't quite ready.
Kevin Rand said he was hopeful Andy Dirks would be able to have the walking boot removed today. Not ready. Will reassess in a week. #Tigers
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) June 29, 2012
With speedy minor leaguer Quintin Berry threatening to quite literally run away with one of the Tigers' starting outfield spots, this news certainly doesn't bode well for Dirks' chances at coming back to a team in desperate need for an outfielder. Once expected to possibly avoid a DL stint altogether and merely miss a few games, it remains to be seen if Dirks can produce at the same level whenever he's able to get back on the field.
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