Detroit Tigers left-handed relief pitcher Blaine Hardy will shift his minor league rehab assignment to Triple-A Toledo, according to Chris Iott of MLive. The 29-year-old is recovering from a shoulder impingement.
The Tigers announced the move from High-A Lakeland to Triple-A Toledo just a few minutes after the initial report.
Across two appearances and three innings of work with High-A Lakeland, Hardy struck out six batters. However, the left-hander gave up two runs on two hits, one walk and a hit by pitch.
"(My shoulder) feels great!" Hardy said after his first rehab game with High-A Lakeland.
Hardy will be playing in his first game for Triple-A Toledo since he tossed 47.0 innings across 20 games in the 2014 season. During the 2015 season, Hardy went 5-3 with a 3.08 ERA out of the bullpen at the big league level. The 29-year-old struck out 55 batters in 61.1 innings.
The reliever will be joining Tigers outfielder Cameron Maybin and right-handed pitcher Alex Wilson on rehab assignments with the Mud Hens.
Maybin has gone 0-for-8 in two games with Triple-A Toledo and 3-for-21 across six minor league rehab games. His status will be evaluated on Friday. Maybin has been on the disabled list with a fractured left wrist.
Wilson, who is on the disabled list with right shoulder soreness, allowed three runs on seven hits in 3.1 innings (two appearances) with High-A Lakeland before making his way to Triple-A Toledo. With the Mud Hens, Wilson allowed one run on two hits and a walk with a strikeout across 0.2 innings.
Hardy could be ready to join the bullpen of the Tigers by early next week. Maybin and Hardy could come to the big leagues by the weekend.