Tigers' Mike Pelfrey (lower back) won't be activated when eligible

DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers pitcher Mike Pelfrey will not be activated off the disabled list when he becomes eligible this week. The 32-year-old starter, who is suffering from a lower back injury, said he won't make a rehab start for another week to 10 days.

After that, he will require at least two rehab appearances to build up the strength in his arm, manager Brad Ausmus confirmed in his pre-game press briefing on Monday.

Pelfrey said he suffered a strain of the multifidus muscle near his spine and was placed on the disabled list after his back locked up earlier this month. Following that episode -- he had to be helped up by his teammates -- he also experienced pain and back spasms. Those symptoms have since subsided, but Pelfrey will take a steady approach toward his return rather than risk re-aggravating the injury.

"I think I'm getting old," Pelfrey joked. "That's the first time I pulled a muscle. I don't think that happens when you're younger."

The 6-7 Pelfrey (4-9, 4.76 ERA) began physical therapy last week and has noted improvement ever since. He is now playing catch and will throw a side session on Friday, according to Ausmus.

Following a rough start to his tenure in Detroit, Pelfrey, who inked a two-year, $16 million contract this offseason, appeared to be pitching with increased efficiency in recent starts. Prior to his injury, he threw five scoreless innings on July 31 against the Houston Astros.

"Right now, I think my whole mindset is just trying to get back and pitch," Pelfrey said, who had to refrain from traveling with the team on their recent road trip as well. "I didn't really feel like I'm part of the team for two weeks, being gone, so the whole thing is I just want to get back and pitch and help these guys out."

As of right now, the Tigers are currently without two of their five starters with Jordan Zimmermann (neck) also on the DL. The Tigers, who are limping along with injuries to 3B Nick Castellanos (hand),Jose Iglesias(hamstring) and CF Cameron Maybin (thumb) as well, received some positive news on the injury front on Monday.

Maybin is feeling better and is expected to begin a hitting progression within the next few days, Ausmus said.