Wounded Tigers, Melton, Brieske, Jobe, making gains in Lakeland

Atlanta – There was a lot going on in Lakeland Tuesday morning.

Recovering right-handed pitchers Troy Melton (elbow inflammation) and Beau Brieske (adductor strain) both threw live batting practice and one of the hitters was Zach McKinstry (hip/abdomen inflammation), who is trending toward a rehab stint.

“We are chipping away at this health thing,” manager AJ Hinch said. “We're feeling better about things by the update.”

Recovering right-handed pitcher Troy Melton (elbow inflammation) threw live batting practice in Lakeland Tuesday.

Melton, Hinch said, is going to build up to be a starter and these live sessions are the equivalent of the start of spring training. He said it's likely to be a five- to six-week process to get him back to where he can be in the mix, either at Triple-A Toledo or Detroit.

Brieske, a reliever, will likely get to that point a few weeks sooner.

Also in Lakeland, right-hander Jackson Jobe, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, threw off a mound for the first time.

“(His return) is well off into the future,” Hinch said. “But it’s nice to see him change his program a little bit.”

Right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) is scheduled to throw a more extended bullpen session here in Atlanta on Wednesday. Hinch said he is expected to throw two innings with a brief stop in between.