Tigers not getting many answers regarding injured depth pieces hoping to return

With less than a month remaining in the regular season, the Detroit Tigers could soon be getting some reinforcements back from the injured list just in time to make a final push before embarking on what they hope will be another deep postseason run.

Speaking to reporters (including Evan Woodberry of MLive) on Monday, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch gave some updates – or, more accurately in some cases, non-updates – about some of Detroit's injured players.

Outfielder Parker Meadows was the first, who has been sidelined since late July with a right quad strain. He made promising strides during his rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo and was activated off the injured list Friday for the Tigers' upcoming series against the Chicago White Sox.

But that's about all the clarity the team has at the moment with a few other names hanging in the balance.

Tigers Injury Update: Jose Urquidy, Alex Cobb, Matt Vierling returning?

Pitchers Jose Urquidy and Alex Cobb have commenced rehabs at Triple-A, but their return timelines are a bit harder to predict.

Urquidy, recovering from Tommy John surgery, tossed three scoreless innings with two hits, no walks and three strikeouts in his rehab start on Tuesday. His expected return is still listed as "early/mid September," but no other specifics have been provided. He will pitch in bulk relief on Friday.

Cobb, who has yet to pitch for the Tigers since he signed a free agent contract last offseason due to inflammation in both hips, threw a scoreless inning of relief on Tuesday for Toledo. He allowed three walks and a hit and only threw 11 of 24 pitches for strikes. Cobb's expected return is more of an "if" than a "when."

Meanwhile, Matt Vierling is still recovering from a left oblique strain that landed him on the IL on Aug. 10. According to Hinch, he has started a hitting progression in addition to playing catch and completing daily defensive drills, but is not going at full speed yet.

"He’s taking indoor swings and still doing some defensive work. He’s just not full-go yet," Hinch said. "Given the time of year and the nature of the injury, a setback would likely end his season, so we have to be very careful. Slow and steady progress is still progress."

While the Tigers are hopeful that Vierling can return later this season, time is running out. Until there is a more concrete update on his progress, the Tigers (and fans) may have to prepare for life without Vierling as October looms.

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