LAKELAND, Fla. -- Detroit Tigers fans have been anxious to see their new closer in action and they just might get their wish this weekend.
Francisco Rodriguez, who was acquired in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason, said he felt encouraged by how he felt in his first time facing live batters on Sunday and plans to throw another live batting practice session on Wednesday. Depending on how he feels Thursday, he could take the mound as early as Saturday's game against the Houston Astros. The Tigers also have a home-and-home set against the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend.
"Definitely tomorrow I'm going to have a better idea of where I'm at and how long it's going to take," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said he had normal muscle soreness -- no pain -- on Monday, after throwing on Sunday, which he interpreted as a positive sign. He worked primarily on his off-speed pitches in his first time facing live batters, and will gradually start letting it go more with each session.
"I watched him throw the other day," manager Brad Ausmus said. "He looked good the other day. For a guy like that, it's more about getting physically prepared to play a season. And he's done that many times."
The 34-year-old reliever said that, ideally, he would like to get into five or six games, with back-to-back games if possible right before the team breaks camp.
"Right now, my main thing is just to get my arm strength, build velocity a little more and get stamina in my body. That's pretty much how the process goes," Rodriguez said.
Some other pitching updates:
Reliever Jeff Ferrell is out with a shoulder issue, according to Ausmus. The 25-year-old right-hander will not pick up a ball again until the soreness abates.
Right-hander Alex Wilson will also require at least a few more days off, following a recent arthrogram (with dye injections). The test revealed no capsular injury, and affirmed the original diagnosis of shoulder/rotator cuff tenderness.
Starter Anibal Sanchez, who was diagnosed with inflammation of the lower right triceps muscle more than two weeks ago, threw a 50-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday, Ausmus reported. The plan, barring any setbacks, is for him to face live batters on Friday.
