What It Means:

After the session, Zimmermann said he felt good and he'll throw again in Chicago on Thursday. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has said that prior to being activated, Zimmermann will need to make at least two rehab starts, so it seems that a return in early August is possible. The 30 year-old right-hander has not pitched since June 30 because of a strained neck. He owns a 3.95 ERA on the season.

Zimmermann's 4.54 xFIP ranks 22nd worst among qualified starting pitchers this season, and his 15.15 strikeout percentage is well below the current league average (21.00 percent). Our models project him to record a 4.13 ERA and a 15.10 strikeout percentage over the remaining course of the season.