Detroit Tigers Links: Miggy ditches boot, TOR Dirks, Schlereth returns

It was not the best of news earlier this week when it was announced that Miguel Cabrera would be missing the start of Spring Training.

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A silver lining has appeared a few days later for the Detroit Tigers and their fans as Cabrera was cleared to remove the walking boot that he has been saddled with since surgery in October. There is no timetable for his return, but beginning to walk without the aid of a boot is indeed a good sign that things are progressing.

The Toronto Blue Jays poached Andy Dirks off of waivers earlier this offseason, but then declined to offer him a contract a couple months later. This led Tigers’ fans to feel he’d be a fit to come back in some fashion, likely a minor league deal. That possibility dried up a bit last month when Detroit traded for Yoenis Cespedes. Jason Beck of MLB.com reported that the Tigers had been in negotiations with Dirks but Toronto (once again) afforded a better opportunity for playing time in 2015 and thus Dirks remains an ex-Tiger.

Finally, Daniel Schlereth is back. The Tigers have signed him to a minor league deal. He was traded to the Tigers from the Pirates for cash last summer but didn’t reach the big league club in 2014 even with a horrendous bullpen, so its doubtful we’ll see him this year either.

Interesting enough, if Max Scherzer is not resigned, Daniel will be the last piece of the three-team deal between the Yankees and Diamondbacks still with the franchise. Phil Coke is almost certainly gone and Austin Jackson is gone.

Cabrera out of walking boot – Dana Wakiji, Fox Sports

Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand has said that Cabrera is due to be reevaluated in the early part of February.So while Cabrera is not wearing the boot anymore, he still is not cleared for full weight-bearing activity yet.The Tigers will have their first full-squad workout Feb. 24.

Blue Jays sign Andy Dirks – Aaron Gleeman, NBC Sports

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Blue Jays have agreed to a minor-league contract with veteran outfielder Andy Dirks, whom they claimed off waivers from the Tigers on October 31 only to non-tender him last month.By non-tendering Dirks and then re-signing him to a minor-league deal the Blue Jays avoid paying him any guaranteed money. Instead he gets an invitation to spring training, where he’ll compete for a part-time role.

Daniel Schlereth returns to Tigers on minor-league deal – Daniel Schlereth, Anthony Fenech

Another left-handed reliever is in the Detroit Tigers’ fold.Daniel Schlereth, who last pitched in the big leagues with the Tigers in 2012, has signed a minor-league deal with the team, according to the International League transactions page.The Tigers will announce spring training camp invites soon.

Next: #TBT: Tony Phillips: A feisty and versatile Tiger