From being a sub-.500 team less than a year ago to a playoff team that advanced to Game 5 of the American League Division Series and then to the best record in the AL after Memorial Day this season, the Detroit Tigers have been the feel-good story of the MLB season.
The Tigers are making their supporters happy, but a number of their players have been unhappy as well. Since spring training, Detroit has been plagued by injuries, and at least eight players, including pitching acquisition Alex Cobb, who cost $15 million in the summer, have yet to return.
The outfield has been hit especially hard by the injury buzzsaw. Until last Friday, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Pérez and Matt Vierling all had yet to play a single game, despite combining for 168 outings in center field alone previous season.
However, Vierling, who has been battling a strained rotator cuff muscle, was eventually reinstated from the disabled list on Friday, giving the Tigers what manager A.J. Hinch called a “big upgrade” to the outfield.
“There wasn’t a single incident, episode, or occurrence. According to The Detroit News, Hinch stated, “We sent him for tests and had him see some doctors after he came in after the game and reported some shoulder soreness.” “We need to get further testing but we can’t mess with this, especially off the recent shoulder issue he had.”
Vierling was put on the 10-day injured list after recording two hits in his 11 at-bats since his return. However, the Tigers did not disclose how long he was anticipated to be sidelined this time.
But the Tigers did get some positive news that day. After just six rehab games in the minor leagues, Pérez—whom Hinch described as “a fun, impactful player”—was activated.
The Dominican Republic native, 24, adds a great deal of variety to the Tigers’ lineup. Hinch predicts that the switch hitter will get action at all three outfield spots.
