The Tigers were hoping to see if outfielder Andy Dirks could return this month but, that is now on hold.
The team announced that Dirks' injury rehab assignment from Single-A Lakeland had been recalled and he would remain on the 60-day disabled list.
The Tigers said Dirks was suffering from "low-back muscular inflammation from increased activity."
Dirks has been playing for the Lakeland Flying Tigers since July 8.
In six games, Dirks was batting .313 with five hits, four runs scored and one RBI.
Dirks underwent a microdiscectomy on March 10 to repair a disc in his lower back. Recovery was expected to take 12 weeks but has dragged on a bit.
Dirks had been swinging and running the bases before starting games July 8 and was expected to use the full 20 days position players are allotted for rehab.
Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand called it "spring training" for Dirks.
Now the Tigers will have to wait and see how quickly Dirks responds to treatment before he can resume activity.
The Tigers currently have enough outfielders with center fielder Austin Jackson, right fielder Torii Hunter, left fielder Rajai Davis, outfielder J.D. Martinez and utility man Don Kelly.
Only Kelly bats left-handed like Dirks.
