Matt Vierling, a utility player for the Tigers, is making progress on his rehabilitation assignment. After a shoulder injury, this is when he could be able to rejoin Detroit’s lineup.
With good reason, the Detroit Tigers are continuing to be patient with Matt Vierling. The versatile outfielder/third baseman is gradually making his way back to Detroit after losing time due to a right shoulder injury, but fans hoping for a speedy return might have to wait a little while longer.
On May 4, Vierling started his rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo, and thus far, things are going well. However, the Tigers won’t be hurrying him back, according to manager A.J. Hinch.
A Methodical Timeline in Toledo
At a May 11 media conference, Hinch shed some light on the Tigers’ phased assessment of Vierling’s preparedness.
“Just slowly but effectively mirror what he’s going to do when he comes back here,” Hinch said as quoted by the Detroit Free Press. “We’ll gather information along the way and decide how long he needs to do that in order to be ready to come back.”
Vierling is definitely swinging the bat effectively, but the Tigers are now focusing on his defensive play. Vierling has so far played in four games as the designated hitter, going 3-for-10 with two home runs, five walks, and four strikeouts in 15 plate appearances.
“Obviously, he’s swinging the bat pretty well,” Hinch added. “The at-bats, recognizing pitches, the spring training-type workload from a hitting standpoint, he’s doing really, really well. Now we need to watch the defense.”
Next Steps in the Rehab Plan
According to the Detroit Free Press, here’s what Vierling’s schedule looks like moving forward:
- May 11: Right field
- May 12: Mud Hens off day
- May 13–14: Outfield (including center field)
- Around May 15: Designated hitter
- May 16–18: Split time between third base and outfield
- May 19: Another off day
All of this is designed to mirror his multi-positional role with the Tigers.
When Will Vierling Return to the Tigers?
While no official comeback date has been declared, May 19 is the earliest plausible aim — but the team has until May 24 to activate him. If all goes well, expect to see Vierling back in Detroit by the end of next week, ready to assist wherever he’s needed.
