Central Intelligence
• Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera might have been rushed back into service if the Tigers felt they had a shot at a playoff spot. But with their chances fading they are taking a more cautious approach. Cabrera was going to begin a minor league rehab assignment about now, but that has been delayed.
• Reliever Nate Jones is ready to return to the White Sox after missing just more than a year because of Tommy John surgery. He was taken off the 60-day disabled list in time for Wednesday's game. In nine rehabilitation games with Class A Winston-Salem and Class AAA Charlotte, Jones posted a 1.93 ERA while reaching 100 miles per hour on the radar gun.
• When healthy, Jason Kipnis is one of the most dangerous hitters in the game, but he struggled last season as he played through injuries and now has landed on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. His shoulder has bothered him when he's thrown the baseball. It never showed in his bat, as he's hitting .326 this season.
• Alex Gordon is making good progress from the Grade 2-plus groin strain he suffered on July 8. He's doing agility drills and hoped to take batting practice and shag fly balls sometime this weekend. Indications are that he could be ready to rejoin the Royals by the end of the month.
