Tigers eye next Monday as possible return for Doug Fister

Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister has only made one start this season, and that lasted just 3 2/3 innings before an injury to his side landed him on the disabled list. But his return sounds imminent. After bullpen sessions last Thursday and Saturday, Fister is ready to make a Triple-A rehab start Wednesday and -- assuming no setbacks -- the Tigers are expecting him as early as next Monday.

By Matt Snyder

May 1, 2012 at 12:08 am ET • 1 min read

Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister has only made one start this season, and that lasted just 3 2/3 innings before an injury to his side landed him on the disabled list. But his return sounds imminent. After bullpen sessions last Thursday and Saturday, Fister is ready to make a Triple-A rehab start Wednesday and -- assuming no setbacks -- the Tigers are expecting him as early as next Monday, reports MLB.com.

Fister's injury is a left costochondral strain, which is a ribcage issue.

Last season, Fister went 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 57 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings after being traded to the Tigers in July.

With Fister on the disabled list, the Tigers used Adam Wilk as a fifth starter, but they lost all three of his starts as he compiled an 8.18 ERA. Duane Below is now the fifth starter until Fister is ready to return.

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