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DET@BOS: Fister covers first, then does the splits

The last time Tigers right-hander Doug Fister came off the disabled list after battling a left costochondral strain, his time back in the Majors lasted just five starts. The 28-year-old reinjured the rib-cage muscle at the end of May and hasn't pitched since.

But after missing more than two weeks, Fister will again make his return to the rotation against the Rockies on Saturday at Comerica Park.

"I feel much better now [than when I came off the DL the first time], when I'm on the mound I don't feel anything and I'm not reserving anything," Fister said. "We're going out there and going to pitch just like we would any other day. No hesitations. If there's a problem, we'll address it, [but] we're not anticipating any problems."

Fister was eligible to come off the DL on Wednesday, but the team decided to wait after he reported some soreness following a bullpen session. The righty's last start didn't go well, as he surrendered six earned runs on 11 hits to the Red Sox in a 7-4 loss.

On the mound for the Rockies will be southpaw Christian Friedrich. The rookie endured the worst outing of his brief career in his last start, allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits over four innings Sunday against the Angels.

"I was throwing a lot of strikes early on, but when we were ahead I was not finishing," Friedrich said. "As soon as the curveball started limiting my pitch selection, I knew it was going to be a little bit of a grind."

The 24-year-old has never faced the Tigers before, but in his only two starts against American League teams, he has given up a total of 16 earned runs in nine innings.

Tigers: Dirks not activated
Manager Jim Leyland has said Andy Dirks isn't doing well in his recovery from right Achilles tendinitis and consequently was not activated from the disabled list on Friday, his first day eligible.

Instead, he was re-examined by Dr. Chris Zingas, the team's foot and ankle specialist.

"Andy's kind of reached a sticking point where it's bothering him to make one particular move that kind of irritates him," head trainer Kevin Rand said. "We [had] him re-evaluated this morning ... We're going to move in a different direction treatment-wise to kind of see if we can spur him."

Rand said he would have more info on the new treatment "later."

Dirks was hitting .328 with four home runs and 16 RBIs on the season before being placed on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 31.

Rockies: De La Rosa getting re-examined
Jorge De La Rosa will have his left elbow re-examined Wednesday by Angels team medical director Dr. Lewis Yocum, the same surgeon who performed Tommy John ligament transfer surgery in the elbow last June.

De La Rosa's injury rehab assignment has been halted twice, first because of left forearm tightness and then because of fluid in the elbow.

Rockies head athletic trainer Keith Dugger said the checkup with Yocum is not because of a major issue, but to merely make sure it is OK for De La Rosa to continue his rehab.

Worth noting
• The Rockies announced Friday that four more players the club selected in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft have agreed to terms. The Rockies have agreed to terms with 28 selections overall, including each of the club's first six picks.

• The Tigers are 71-41 in Interleague games at Comerica Park.

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