Justin Verlander

Avila set to go on rehab assignment

Published Jun. 25, 2015 11:58 a.m. ET

foxsports

DETROIT -- Certain Tigers remain in a holding pattern but there is a plan in place for catcher Alex Avila.

Avila, on the disabled list since May 8 with a left knee injury, is scheduled to head out on a rehabilitation assignment to Triple-A Toledo.

Starting this Friday, Avila will catch 3-5 innings. On Saturday, he will be the designated hitter.

On Sunday, Avila will catch five innings. Monday, he'll serve as the DH again.

On Tuesday, Avila will catch seven innings. Wednesday, he'll be the DH again.

Then he will catch back-to-back games Thursday and Friday, 7 innings and 5-7 innings, respectively.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said when Avila is able to return, it will be a huge boost.

"It's hard for people to notice the preparation, or the game-calling, or the levity in high-stress situations that he brings to the pitchers," Ausmus said. "He's one of the better catchers in the game at blocking the ball in the dirt, which gives pitchers confidence to throw chase pitches.

"James McCann has done an excellent job for a first full season player, as a catcher. And he's going to be a very good catcher. Doc's (Bryan Holaday) done a very good job of filling in. But experience is huge when it comes to that position."

Shane Greene was sent down to Toledo June 12, has made two starts and is 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA.

But Ausmus said his status is currently up in the air because of a blister.

Justin Verlander, who missed Wednesday's start with mid-back stiffness, is not scheduled to start in the four-game series against the Chicago White Sox.

Kyle Ryan, who pitched in relief Wednesday but only threw 12 pitches, will start Saturday.

Kyle Lobstein, who has been on the DL since May 24 with a sore left shoulder, is in Lakeland.

Lobstein had a cortisone shot in his shoulder June 12 to try to get rid of lingering inflammation in the back of his shoulder.

"He was doing rehab and treatment, and really there wasn't much change as of two days ago," Ausmus said. "He hasn't thrown since Chicago."

Meanwhile, now that reliever Bruce Rondon has been called up from Toledo, Ausmus said he has to pitch well enough to create his own role.

"Otherwise, we'll just use him out of the bullpen when we think we need him," Ausmus said.

Ausmus said Rondon was working with pitching coach Jeff Jones on a few mechanical things before the end of his rehab.

Rondon had a 7.17 ERA with the Mud Hens but did not allowed a run in his last five outings.

Ausmus said he would not stay away from Rondon in high-leverage situations.

"I'm not saying I'm going to bring him in in the ninth inning with the bases loaded, but I'd bring him in the seventh inning of a close game," Ausmus said. "He's pitched here before in those situations."