Zimmermann Expected To Miss At Least 1 Start With Right Groin Strain
DETROIT (AP) — Jordan Zimmermann is expected to miss at least one start for Detroit, but Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he was more optimistic Monday than he was when the right-hander left his start a day earlier with a right groin strain.
"Zimm actually came to the field feeling pretty good," Ausmus said Monday. "We're still in the first third of the season. You've got to be on the cautious side."
Zimmermann (7-2) has been impressive in his first season with Detroit after signing with the Tigers in the offseason. But in the sixth inning Sunday, with an 0-1 count on Tampa Bay's Steve Pearce, players gathered around the right-hander at the mound. Zimmermann left the game abruptly and had an MRI.
"It was just deemed kind of a Grade 1 strain, which is the lowest-level strain you can have, which is good news," Ausmus said. "When he left the game, I was much more concerned."
Ausmus said it would be a stretch for Zimmermann to make his next start Friday, but it's not clear yet if he'll have to miss any extra turns in the rotation. Detroit has a day off Thursday, so the Tigers can skip Zimmermann's next turn without needing to add anybody to the rotation.
Miguel Cabrera, who left Sunday's game with a bruised left knee, was in the lineup for Monday night's matchup against Philadelphia. Outfielder Justin Upton was scratched from Monday's lineup with right quadriceps tightness.
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