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Berry might return to a crowded Tigers outfield

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Quintin Berry, who hasn't played since Feb. 24 due to patellar tendinitis, might return to the lineup on Sunday against the Nationals or Monday against the Mets. Both games are in Lakeland.

"The report from the trainers today was he was really going to get after it today, and he thought he probably would be available for us tomorrow," manager Jim Leyland said. "Every once in a while they say, 'Maybe one more day.' "

Leyland played Jeff Kobernus in leftfield, Andy Dirks in centerfield and Brennan Boesch in rightfield in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

"It's going to get a little more complex in the next day or so," Leyland said of playing time for the outfielders. "Quintin Berry's possibly right on the verge of returning. So, I'll get him some time in centerfield or rightfield or whatever. I got (Avisail) Garcia, (Nick) Castellanos, Berry, Dirks, Boesch, Kobernus. There's only so many spots. I gotta get Torii Hunter ready. I gotta get (Austin) Jackson ready. So that doesn't leave me a whole lot."

Leyland said he'd like to give those who will start regularly at least 75 at-bats in spring training.

Kobernus continues to impress. He battled back after being down in the count against left-hander Ricky Romero to earn walks in the first and second innings. He singled to center in the ninth off right-hander Chad Beck.

Kobernus has a chance to make the team as the leftfielder spelling Dirks against lefties, and that's why Leyland said before the game he wanted to bat him leadoff to get Kobernus a couple of at-bats against Romero.

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