Notes: Avila progressing, but not quite ready for rehab assignment
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DETROIT -- Alex Avila is not quite ready for a rehabilitation assignment but he's getting closer.
"He swung the bat today early, swung the bat well," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "He's scheduled to make some throws, I think when we get to Cincinnati, to bases. That's a good next step, then maybe catch some bullpens by the time we get to New York. We'll see where he's after that."
Avila has been on the disabled list with a left knee injury since May 8.
As for Victor Martinez, he is in the middle of a four-game rehab stint with Triple-A Toledo.
He played one game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, going 1-for-4 with an RBI single.
The Mud Hens traveled to Syracuse for a three-game series.
In the first game against the Chiefs, Martinez went 2-for-4 with an RBI single.
"He hit some balls hard," Ausmus said. "He's on for tonight, and right now, he's a go for the next two games in Syracuse."
If things continue to go well and Martinez's left knee feels good, he could be activated in time for the Tigers' weekend series in New York.
"He's meeting us in New York," Ausmus said. "Whether he's activated or not, that's an issue we'll have to see how he feels, if he feels like he's ready."
CESPEDES MYSTERY SOLVED
People were wondering why it took Yoenis Cespedes so long to get back to left field for the third inning in Monday night's game.
"I was aware of where he was, and I knew he'd make it back out, so it wasn't really a big deal," Ausmus said. "It was a bathroom break."
Ausmus said he wasn't sure how long the umpires were going to give them, so he had Andrew Romine warming up in case they ran out of time.
SIGNINGS
The Tigers announced they have signed five of their recent draft picks.
Third baseman Josh Lester from the University of Missouri (13th round), right fielder Joseph Havrilak from the University of Akron (18th round), right-handed pitcher Logan Longwith from Tennessee Wesleyan College (20th round), catcher Tyler Servais from Princeton University (27th round) and second baseman Patrick Mackenzie from Central Michigan (28th round) all signed.
The Tigers did not announce the following signings but Jim Callis of MLB.com said both first-round picks Beau Burrows (22nd overall) and Christin Stewart from the University of Tennessee agreed to terms Tuesday.
Fifth round pick Cam Gibson of Michigan State tweeted out a photo of himself signing a contract, saying "Let's get to work."