Atlanta – There was a lot going on in Lakeland Tuesday morning.
Recovering right-handed pitchers Troy Melton (elbow inflammation) and Beau Brieske (adductor strain) both threw live batting practice and one of the hitters was Zach McKinstry (hip/abdomen inflammation), who is trending toward a rehab stint.
“We are chipping away at this health thing,” manager AJ Hinch said. “We’re feeling better about things by the update.”
Melton, Hinch said, is going to build up to be a starter and these live sessions are the equivalent of the start of spring training. He said it’s likely to be a five- to six-week process to get him back to where he can be in the mix, either at Triple-A Toledo or Detroit.
Brieske, a reliever, will likely get to that point a few weeks sooner.
Also in Lakeland, right-hander Jackson Jobe, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, threw off a mound for the first time.
“(His return) is well off into the future,” Hinch said. “But it’s nice to see him change his program a little bit.”
Right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) is scheduled to throw a more extended bullpen session here in Atlanta on Wednesday. Hinch said he is expected to throw two innings with a brief stop in between.
Chris.McCosky@detroitnews.com
@cmccosky
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Wounded Tigers, Melton, Brieske, Jobe, making gains in Lakeland
Reporting by Chris McCosky, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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