The arduous process of returning from an Achilles injury is starting to get into the closing steps for Detroit Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks, though he still won't be swinging the bat with the team all that soon. According to an article from MLive.com, Dirks has started working out recently and will visit the team to be checked out by the training staff on Monday.
If all goes well, Dirks is likely to start a rehabilitation assignment as soon as this week.
"We're going to assess where he is from a running standpoint and take him through a progression to make sure he's ready to base-run," head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said Sunday morning. "Once we do that, we'll get him out and ready to play.
"My hope is he'll be ready to go out on a rehab assignment during this homestand."
Before being sent to the DL with Achilles tendinitis on May 31, Dirks had been having a superb season for the Tigers, hitting .328/.379/.515 for the team in the 37 games he had appeared in.
For more on Dirks' injury, stay right here with this StoryStream. For more on the Tigers, head on over to Bless You Boys. And for more MLB news and analysis, be sure to check in with Baseball Nation.