MINNEAPOLIS " Tigers left-hander Dontrelle Willis is scheduled to make his first start of the season Wednesday night against Minnesota.
Willis was activated from the disabled list Tuesday night. He had been on the DL since spring training because of an anxiety disorder.
Acquired with Miguel Cabrera from the Marlins before last season, Willis made only eight appearances with Detroit in 2008.
The 2003 NL rookie of the year was hampered by a right knee injury and control problems. Willis was 0-2 with a 9.38 ERA and walked 35 batters in 24 innings.
"He's been through a lot. He's going to come back now so we're certainly happy about that, and that's something that's in your heart as a human being," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said after a 6-2 loss to the Twins on Tuesday night. "The other side of the coin is he needs to win games for us and that's what he'll be here for. He'll be expected to pitch well and help us win games like everybody else."
The Tigers designated reliever Juan Rincon for assignment to make room for Willis. Rincon was 1-0 with a 5.23 ERA in seven appearances for the Tigers.