Zimmermann encouraged by simulated game

DETROIT – The look from batter Dixon Machado as the breaking ball dropped on the outside corner suggested Tigers right-hander Jordan Zimmermann had his repertoire together a little better than on Saturday. Zimmermann was throwing a simulated game Wednesday, but the stern look on his face was close to game-ready.

When Zimmermann will be able to take that face onto the mound in an actual game again remains in flux. Manager Brad Ausmus wouldn’t commit to when or whether Zimmermann would start, opting to wait until Thursday to see how Zimmermann feels, and the skipper’s comments sounded like someone who was searching for consistency out of his veteran workhorse. After all, it was mechanics, not health, that was Zimmermann’s supposed downfall when he allowed six runs over an inning-plus to the Orioles on Saturday in his return from a lingering right neck strain.

“When he had his mechanics right, I think the life was on there,” Ausmus said before Wednesday’s game against the Twins. “The breaking balls had more depth and there was more life on the fastball.”

Zimmermann, for his part, felt encouraged.

“On Saturday, I was really, really rushing. I was really fast [in delivery to the plate],” Zimmermann said. “I didn’t lift my leg up all the way and I was rushing …

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