Dirks was released by the Blue Jays on Thursday, Tony Paul of the Detroit News reports.

Dirks was brought on board in January, but he continues to battle a back injury, which has prevented him from seeing the field thus far in 2015. After appearing in 131 games for the Tigers in 2013, Dirks played in just 14 minor league contests in 2014. He's only 29 years old, but he'll need to prove he's capable of staying healthy before returning to the majors becomes a real possibility.

Dirks (back) remains in minor-league camp as he continues to recover from a back injury that cost him all of the 2014 season.

Dirks was signed in January in hopes of being able to help contribute at bats against right handed pitching, but is recovering slowly from the injuries that held him out of the entire 2014 season. Dirks had a fairly strong season in 2013, hitting .256 with nine home runs and 37 RBI in 131 games, but without a single major league at bat in 2014 and an extended stint in minor league camp, coupled with Michael Saunders' expedited return from a knee injury leaves Dirks on the outside looking in when it comes to playing time. Dirks has limited fantasy value even when healthy and with this back injury, his value only plummets from there.

Dirks (back) is expected to resume baseball activities in 7-to-10 days, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old reported to minor league camp to continue rehabbing the back injury that cost him all of 2014, but he could join major league camp before long and enter the mix for left-field playing time. Michael Saunders is set to miss the entire first half due a torn meniscus in his knee. Dirks hit .256/.323/.363 with nine homers and 37 RBI in 131 games (484 PA) with the Tigers in 2013.

Dirks will report to minor league spring training to continue rehabbing his back, Brendan Kennedy of the Toronto Star reports.

The 29-year-old underwent surgery in March to correct a lingering back issue, and was shut down from his rehab assignment in August due to a hamstring concern. It sounds like Dirks is still working himself back to full strength, and it's uncertain when he may be cleared to join major league camp for spring training. He inked a minor league deal with Toronto last month.

Dirks signed a minor league deal, which includes a spring training invite, with the Blue Jays on Thursday.

The Jays declined to tender Dirks a contract in December, but they'll bring him back on minor league deal. The 28-year-old was limited to just 14 total games across three minor league levels last season due to back and hamstring injuries. In 2013, he hit .256/.323/.363 with 37 RBI in 438 at-bats for the Tigers.

The Blue Jays declined to tender Dirks a contract, the New York Post's Joel Sherman reports.

Dirks was only claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays earlier this offseason, after 2014 amounted to a lost season with Detroit due to a hamstring injury. He has been a serviceable backup outfielder in the past, and will likely be able to catch on with another team this offseason.

Dirks was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.

He ended the season on the 60-day DL with a hamstring injury, but should be ready for the start of spring training to compete for a spot in the Jays' outfield, but more likely as a bench bat/left-handed platoon partner.

Dirks (hamstring) has been shut down after an MRI Wednesday revealed a Grade 1, partial Grade 2 hamstring strain, MLive's James Schmehl reports.

He will return to High-A Lakeland to resume treatment as the Tigers simply want to get him healthy at this point, and it's possible he won't see game action again this season.

Dirks reinjured his hamstring during a rehab game with Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, John Wagner of the Toledo Blade reports.

Dirks resumed playing Saturday after taking 10 days off to rest his hamstring, but it appears he did not sit out long enough. It's not initially clear how long this will further delay Dirks' return to the Tigers.

Dirks (hamstring) will resume his rehab assignment Saturday, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.

Dirks was taken off his rehab assignment Aug. 8 because he pulled his hamstring again, but appears ready to continue his road to recovery. It's unclear how long Dirks will require to return to the Tigers, but it seems as though it could be a while.

Dirks (hamstring) has been taken off his rehab assignment again, Matthew B. Mowery of the Oakland Press reports.

He pulled his hamstring while rehabbing from back surgery with Low-A West Michigan, and the Tigers will now shut him down for an unspecified amount of time. Those hanging on to Dirks in single-season leagues would be wise to start looking elsewhere, as it doesn't seem like he'll be able to join the Tigers anytime soon.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Wednesday that Dirks' hamstring injury is minor, Chris Iott of MLive.com reports.

While rehabbing from back surgery with Low-A West Michigan, Dirks felt his left hamstring grab Tuesday as he chased down a fly ball. Fortunately, it's a relatively minor setback for Dirks, as he is expected to resume playing soon, with the plan being for him to continue his assignment with Triple-A Toledo.

Dirks (back) left his rehab game Tuesday after feeling his left hamstring grab while chasing a fly ball, MLive's Chris Iott reports.

He will be reevaluated Wednesday, but this could definitely mean a setback in Dirks' attempt to rejoin the Tigers, who all of a sudden have need of a little extra outfield depth after trading Austin Jackson.

Dirks (back) will restart his rehab assignment at Low-A West Michigan on Friday, Matthew Mowery of the Oakland Press reports.

Since Dirks hasn't been playing for over a week after enduring some back inflammation, his 20-day rehab window will be reset. It's uncertain if he'll require the full length of the stay in the minors this time around, but look for Dirks to play several more games across multiple levels before the Tigers reevaluate his health.

Andy Dirks (back) is scheduled to resume his minor league rehab assignment Friday with Low-A West Michigan.

Dirks had his rehab halted in mid-July after experiencing renewed inflammation in his surgically-repaired lower back. There is no longer a timetable for his return.

The Tigers have yet to decide when Andy Dirks (back) will resume his rehab assignment.

Dirks was pulled off his rehab assignment earlier this month due to muscle inflammation in his surgically-repaired back. He's resumed baseball activities, but it's not clear when he'll be ready for game action. Obviously, he's a long shot at this point to be a major contributor to the Tigers this season.

Andy Dirks (back) has resumed baseball activities.

Dirks was pulled off his rehab assignment earlier this month due to muscle inflammation in his surgically-repaired back. It's obviously good news that he's resuming activities, but there remains no timetable for his return.

Andy Dirks was recalled from his rehab assignment due to muscle inflammation in his lower back.

The Tigers announced they had recalled Dirks from his assignment with High-A Lakeland, and the diagnosis is inflammation due to increased activity. It's obviously not a good sign that he's having back issues, as he's been rehabbing from March back surgery. He was on pace to return near the end of the month prior to being shut down, so there's no timetable with the new setback.

The Tigers recalled Andy Dirks from his rehab assignment with High-A Lakeland on Wednesday.

Dirks will remain on the disabled list despite being recalled, and MLB.com's Jason Beck thinks the move may just be a procedural one by the organization to buy Dirks an extra day of rehab. Injured players get a maximum of 20 days of rehabilitation before a move is required, and with Triple-A Toledo on break until Thursday, recalling Dirks before reassigning him to Triple-A on Thursday would allow them to save a day. The bottom line is, Dirks is still not ready for major league games, and he'll likely need the entire 20 days of rehab before being recalled to the big club.

Andy Dirks (back) will begin a minor league rehab assignment Tuesday with High-A Lakewood.

Dirks has been sidelined all season following back surgery in March, but he's finally ready for game action. Barring any setbacks, he should join the Tigers shortly after the All-Star break.