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.

According to Lynn Henning, Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski confirmed this week that they are not yet ready to name Andy Dirks as their starting left fielder for the upcoming season.

For all intents and purposes the club is still seeking an upgrade to the position through free agency or trade, and remains one of the most likely landing destinations for Shin-Soo Choo. If the Tigers strike out on the open market, Dirks would stand to be the primary beneficiary and would see most of the action in left against right-handed pitching.

Andy Dirks will start in left field for Game 3 of the ALCS against the Red Sox on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Jhonny Peralta is making another start at shortstop. The full Tigers' lineup: Austin Jackson CF, Torii Hunter RF, Miguel Cabrera 3B, Prince Fielder 1B, Victor Martinez C, Peralta SS, Alex Avila C, Omar Infante 2B, Dirks LF. Justin Verlander will be on the hill for Detroit.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Monday that Andy Dirks will likely play left field in ALCS Game 3.

It would be Dirks' first start since ALDS Game 1 vs. the A's. Jhonny Peralta will presumably play shortstop.

Andy Dirks had a memorable night at the dish in Friday's rout of the Royals, going 5-for-5 with a double, four runs scored and an RBI.

Dirks also walked on the evening, reaching base in all six of his plate appearances. The 27-year-old outfielder has been somewhat of a disappointment this season, hitting .263/.331/.376 with eight homers and 32 RBI. He'll need to continue to swing the bat well to hold off the recently promoted Nick Castellanos.

Andy Dirks went 4-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored as the Tigers' leadoff man on Thursday.

Dirks spent quite a bit of time in the leadoff spot early on when Austin Jackson was on the DL, but he's mostly hit sixth and seventh lately, something that figures to continue. He could really use a hot streak to force his way back into the lineup against all right-handers.

Andy Dirks had a nice day at the dish during Sunday's victory against the Royals, going 2-for-4 with a homer and a steal.

Dirks hit safely in all three games over the weekend against the Royals. Platooning with Matt Tuiasosopo in left field until the Tigers promote top prospect Nick Castellanos from Triple-A or make a trade, Dirks is batting a meager .248/.308/.357 through 81 games.

Andy Dirks had a nice day at the dish in Friday's 7-0 thrashing of the Indians, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and three runs scored.

Dirks also walked on the evening. It was just his second multi-hit effort in his last 20 games. On the season, he's hitting a somewhat disappointing .246/.310/.355 with six homers and 23 RBI. You have to wonder how long the Tigers will accept that type of production out of their primary left fielder before they consider promoting top prospect Nick Castellanos from Triple-A.

Andy Dirks doubled in a run and walked three times against the Blue Jays on Thursday.

One of the walks forced in a run, too. Dirks could use more games like this to guarantee that he keeps his spot in the second half. He entered the game with a .241/.296/.341 line in 249 at-bats, though he has helped his cause with good defense in left field.

Andy Dirks was hitless in four at-bats in his return to the lineup Saturday.

Dirks hadn't played since Tuesday due to knee soreness. He should be fine physically, but his batting line is down to .245/.299/.348 for the season.

Andy Dirks (knee) is not expected to return to the starting lineup until Saturday.

Dirks is dealing with some knee soreness, so Tigers manager Jim Leyland is trying to keep him off his feet. He was out of the lineup Wednesday and will sit out again Friday following Thursday's scheduled off-day. "He's going to get three days off, and that's a good thing," said Leyland. "I think his knees are a little sore. He will have today off, obviously tomorrow off -- we're all off -- and then the first pitcher in Minnesota's a left-hander, so that should freshen him up good. That works out good."