Notes: Soria getting closer to return; Tigers cautious with Avila, McCann
DETROIT -- Tigers reliever Joakim Soria could be closer to rejoining the bullpen.
Soria, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 10 with a left oblique strain, threw a full bullpen off the mound Friday.
"I threw all my pitches, feel good," Soria said. "Obviously, see how it feels (Saturday), but if everything goes smooth like last time, maybe we throw a live BP on Monday, and go from there."
Soria said he threw 39 pitches and did not feel any pain in his oblique.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus didn't indicate anything beyond a possible live batting practice for Soria Monday.
"It's one step at a time," Ausmus said. "We gotta see how he feels before any decisions are made."
Soria was asked how his patience level was.
"I can't wait," he said.
BEING CAUTIOUS WITH AVILA, MCCANN
Tigers catcher Alex Avila was not in the lineup for the third straight game after coming out of the game Tuesday in Cleveland when a foul ball hit him in the mask.
"We would want to have him have a day where he's completely symptom-free," Ausmus said. "So far (Friday) he's been good.
"(Thursday) when he started getting active, he had a mild headache. It may or may not be related to the hit he took the other night but better to be safe than sorry. He may have just had a headache because he had a headache."
Bryan Holaday has played in Avila's absence but the Tigers have only used rookie James McCann late in two games.
"With Alex's concussion, I could start him," Ausmus said. "Let's not lose focus here, Triple-A to the big leagues is a big jump. And it's an even bigger jump when you have to handle an entirely new staff against an entirely new league of hitters, with all new scouting reports."
That said, Ausmus said McCann still might get a chance to play.
"I think McCann is an intelligent catcher who takes a lot of pride in his defense and I think we can certainly help him make the transition," Ausmus said. "Don't write him off as not playing because especially if Alex needs more time, then McCann's going to play because we can't just put Bryan Holaday out there every single day, day game after a night game."
While it might seem like the easiest thing for McCann to do would be to catch Kyle Lobstein, a pitcher he's caught many times before, that might not be the case.
"I think we have a pitching staff, outside of Lobstein, that generally has a pretty good idea of what they want to do and have the ability to call their own games," Ausmus said. "That actually would help McCann as well. Him catching Lobstein and being familiar with him wouldn't hurt but I don't know that he would gain that much over say, catching a (Max) Scherzer."
In the meantime, Ausmus said McCann should work on catching all the starters in their bullpen sessions to get a feel for their stuff.
"I'm not concerned about him being overwhelmed at the plate," Ausmus said. "Don't get me wrong, I think he can handle it, he'll be able to handle it. But to throw him behind the plate on a daily basis I think would be a bit much to ask of him."
CABRERA BACK AT 1B, HUNTER IN RF
After missing one game because of a bruised left foot caused by a foul ball Wednesday, Torii Hunter was back in the lineup, batting second and playing right field.
Ausmus said as long as Hunter was able to move around while taking fly balls in batting practice, he should be fine.
Against Giants starter Jake Peavy, Hunter is batting .421 with a double, a triple, a home run and and seven RBI.
Miguel Cabrera, dealing with a sore ankle, was back playing first base Friday after serving as designated hitter for four games in Cleveland.
"It's going to be a balancing act, with Miggy's ankle, and Victor (Martinez) over there at first," Ausmus said. "Trying to get the most out of them, without wearing either one of them down."
Cabrera is batting .500 (9-18) the last four games.
"He seems to be better," Ausmus said. "I just would think â I would hope â over those five days of not standing at first base for nine innings every day relieved a little bit of the discomfort. That being said, he may hit a ground ball, hit first, and it may flare up again. So, kind of keep our fingers crossed on that."
REACTION TO WASHINGTON RESIGNATION
None of the Tigers had heard the news before batting practice about Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington resigning for personal reasons.
"I don't really know Wash, to be honest with you, other than to really say hello," said Ausmus, who also hadn't heard.
Soria played for Washington last season and part of this season.
"He knows what's going on in his life, and it's his decision," Soria said. "He's a good guy, and I hope nothing but the best for him."
