Doug Fister threw four scoreless innings of a rehabilitation outing for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens Wednesday evening at Fifth Third Field. Fister gave up two hits, struck out five and walked one, working at his usual brisk pace. It was his first time throwing to live batters since he left his first start of the regular season on April 7 with what was later diagnosed as a costochondral strain in his left side.

By all reports — and admittedly, I was not there Wednesday night — the outing went well. Manager Jim Leyland had said that if it did — and that would include, obviously, Fister feeling fine Thursday — then the lanky right-hander could return to the rotation as early as Monday's game in Seattle.

Here's a video of Fister's postgame interview (posted on MLB.com), if you'd like to judge for yourself: