Tigers activate Kyle Lobstein, he'll start Friday vs. Indians

Kansas City, Mo. — Kyle Lobstein has worked his way back into the Tigers rotation.

Four months after going on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury, Ausmus said Lobstein would start Fri

day against the Indians at Comerica Park.

He had a choice of starting Lobstein or lefty Kyle Ryan.

"We talked about it and decided to go with Lobstein," Ausmus said. "He pitched pretty well for us last year and he did OK this year, even though he was injured."

Lobstein started the season as the team's sixth starting pitcher and found his way onto the 25-man roster when Justin Verlander went on the disabled list. He went 3-5 with a 4.34 ERA in April and May, but it was clear something wasn't right.

Tests revealed no structural damage in the shoulder, but it took four months to work through it. He wasn't cleared to begin throwing until August.

He made two rehab starts at Single A Lakeland and four at Triple A Toledo. The results weren't impressive — 0-3, 5.68 ERA — but the health of his shoulder and arm were. Ausmus said his fastball was topping out at 88 mph in his last rehab start.

To clear a spot for Lobstein on the 40-man roster (he had been on the 60-day disabled list), right-handed pitcher Josh Zeid was outrighted to Toledo.

Zeid, whom the Tigers claimed off waivers from the Astros, had been the only pitcher on the 40-man roster who hadn't been called up to Detroit this season.

chris.mccosky@detroitnews.com

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