Castellanos could return by end of next week

DETROIT — While the Tigers regained their double-play combination in Saturday’s 7-4 loss to the Royals with Jose Iglesias’ return to the starting lineup from a bruised right thumb, the final injured Tigers regular is creeping closer to a return to game action, and possibly a closing stretch in Detroit.

Nick Castellanos is expected to play in instructional league games in Lakeland, Fla., on Monday and Wednesday as he works his way back from a broken left hand that has sidelined him since early August. If those go well, he could be back with the Tigers by the end of the week.

“If everything goes well, then we’ll bring him back,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “But he’s been out for six weeks.”

Castellanos had been expected to rejoin the Tigers in Detroit this weekend to continue his rehab efforts, but the Tigers opted to keep him in Florida. He faced live pitching Friday and Saturday and felt comfortable driving the ball.

“He felt like he had a really good day,” Ausmus said.

Ausmus said Castellanos felt good enough that he wanted to return Sunday, but Ausmus said he had to play in at least some games in Florida.

“It would essentially be like taking a guy that didn’t play a single Spring Training game, and sticking him in the Opening Day lineup,” Ausmus said. “I mean, we’re just not going to do that. It’s unfair to the player, and it’s unfair to the other players on the team.”

Thus, instead of facing Jordan Zimmermann in a simulated game Monday, Castellanos will have …

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