Andy Dirks (back) is days away from beginning a rehab assignment. Dirks, who is working his way back from a microdisectomy, began ramping up his baseball activities a couple weeks ago. He's been out all season, so he figures to need a bunch of rehab games before being activated. Dirks figures to return around the All-Star break.

Andy Dirks (back) has begun ramping up his baseball activities. "He's been throwing, he's been running bases, some soft toss. Tee work, soft toss, batting practice," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "I don't think he's got the live batting practice, but that's gotta be somewhere here in the near future." The Tigers projected sometime in June as a rough timetable for Dirks after he underwent a microdisectomy, but it would be a surprise if he's back this month. Still, it appears he's moving in the right direction.

Andy Dirks (back) began doing light baseball activities this week, including throwing and taking dry swings. Dirks is in the process of recovering from microdisectomy surgery and isn't expected to rejoin the Tigers until mid-June. Rajai Davis has done an exceptional job as the team's primary left fielder so it remains to be seen how much playing time will be available once Dirks is able to return.

Tigers transferred OF Andy Dirks from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. Dirks has been recovering from microdisectomy surgery on March 10 and isn't likely to return until June. His transfer to the 60-day disabled list creates room on the 40-man roster for J.D. Martinez, who was promoted from Triple-A Toledo on Monday.

Tigers placed OF Andy Dirks on the 15-day disabled list with a back injury. Dirks underwent microdiscectomy surgery on his back March 10 and is likely to be out until June. Rajai Davis will get the majority of early-season action in left field.

Andy Dirks underwent successful microdiscectomy surgery on his back Monday. Dirks will rest for three weeks before beginning physical therapy. The outfielder is expected to be sidelined for 12 weeks all told, putting likely return sometime in June. Rajai Davis will be the Tigers' primary left fielder while Dirks is on the shelf.

Andy Dirks will rest for three weeks following back surgery before beginning physical therapy. "It's like three weeks of nothing, let your body heal," Dirks said. "Then it'll be three weeks of physical therapy, then three to five weeks of some sort of baseball activities starting out." Dirks will have a disk in his back repaired and will be sidelined for 12 weeks, putting his likely return sometime in June.

Andy Dirks needs back surgery and will likely miss 12 weeks.

Tigers avoided arbitration with OF Andy Dirks by agreeing to a one-year, $1.625 million contract. It was Dirks' first year of arbitration eligibility after he qualified for Super Two status. The soon-to-be 28-year-old hit .256/.323/.363 with nine dingers for the Tigers last season and is expected to start in left field against righties in 2014.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski revealed Monday that Andy Dirks played through a lingering knee injury all season that he suffered in spring training. "We think he would have had a more contribution from an offensive perspective (if he had been healthy)," Dombrowski said. "He finally acknowledged it bothered him. It has been nothing major. A doctor looked at him. He's done rehab." Dirks batted just .256/.323/.363 with nine homers during his disappointing 2013 season. He'll enter spring training healthy but hasn't been guaranteed anything from a playing time perspective.