DETROIT -- Injured setup men Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya are about to take their next step toward returning to the Tigers' bullpen.

Detroit manager Jim Leyland said before Saturday afternoon's game against the Yankees that Rodney and Zumaya have had successful throwing sessions off a mound, and they will start throwing to batters starting next week at the Tigers' Spring Training facility in Lakeland, Fla.

"They're making progress, but we're going to make sure everything's right," Leyland said. "We're not rushing anything."

Rodney will face batters during his next throwing session scheduled early next week, while Zumaya will start facing hitters later in the week.

Both players are listed on the 15-day disabled list and have not thrown in a game this season.

Zumaya injured his right shoulder while moving boxes near his San Diego home and underwent surgery in November. The original timetable for the right-handed fireballer called for him to miss at least half the season, and Leyland said on Saturday that Zumaya's progression is on par with the original timetable.

Rodney has suffered from recurring tendinitis in his right shoulder since Spring Training. A visit to renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., showed no structural damage in the shoulder, and Rodney has reported no pain since. Leyland said no set timetable exists for his return.

The return of a healthy Zumaya and Rodney could fortify what has already been a dependable bullpen, despite the fact that it has thrown the third-most innings among American League relievers.

Leyland didn't want to get ahead of himself, but he commented on how the Tigers' bullpen would look with its two primary setup men back.

"If we can get those two guys back in top form, all of a sudden we're looking at a pretty nasty bullpen out there," Leyland said. "I've always said I like our bullpen and they can get the job done, but if those guys come back, we could have a heck of a bullpen."

Zumaya, who has been clocked at 103 mph, fought through arm troubles last season to go 2-3 with a 4.28 ERA. Rodney had shoulder problems last year as well, and he had a 2-6 record and 4.26 ERA.

Both pitchers were key pieces to the Tigers' run to the 2006 World Series. That season, they combined to go 13-7 with a 2.67 ERA.