Tigers outfielder Cameron Maybin will be sidelined for the next four to six weeks due to a non-displaced hairline fracture in his left hand, manager Brad Ausmus told reporters, including Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). Maybin was hit by a pitch in yesterday’s Grapefruit League opener, leading to today’s injury news.
Maybin, 29 in April, was drafted by the Tigers with the 10th pick in the 2005 draft but traded to the Marlins in the Miguel Cabrera blockbuster back in 2007. He bounced from Miami to San Diego to Atlanta before being reacquired by the Tigers this offseason in exchange for relievers Ian Krol and Gabe Speier. Detroit’s subsequent signing of Justin Upton to a six-year deal shifted Maybin to a timeshare with the left-handed-hitting Anthony Gose in center field. With Maybin now doubtful to open the season with the club, Gose could see an increased role early on in the year.
Maybin struggled for much of his tenure with the Marlins and Padres but had somewhat of a rebound with the Braves last season, batting .267/.327/.370 with 10 homers and 23 stolen bases. His career splits don’t necessarily make him an ideal platoon partner for Gose, but Gose’s extreme struggles against fellow lefties (career .202/.256/.269 batting line) make Maybin’s .241/.298/.347 slash against lefties seem more appealing. Maybin is slated to earn $8MM this season — $2.5MM of which will be paid by Atlanta — and the Tigers hold a $9MM club option ($1MM buyout) over him for the 2017 season.
That’s the Cameron Maybin that us Padres fans knew so well. He’ll dazzle you with flashes of talent, then go to the DL and struggle to get right when he comes back.
Let’s be real, a full season of healthy Maybin would be the Padres best OFer
Fred, you’re right, but when was the last time he put in a full season? He played in 141 games in 2015, but that came after seasons of 95 and 14 games. The second half of his 2015 featured a triple-slash of .235/286/.304. as he apparently was battling through eye issues. Even when he’s healthy, he’s not healthy. We wanted the best for him, but it never happened.
So it’s his fault that he was hit on the hand? Are you for real? Like Fred said, if he was still with the Padres, he would have one of the better OF on the team. Only Melvin Upton had a better year last year and that was his best season since 2012 . Maybin isn’t done for the year either, he is just missing 4-6 weeks. He will be back by April 13th at the latest.
Agreed. This guy gets hurt a lot. Sometimes it’s of his own accord, sometimes it’s not.
He’s like money in the Bank to play 2 months a year…..He really needs to watch out when crossing the street.
Thank goodness ATL sold on him when they did – not that this couldn’t easily have happened in a Braves uni.
It’s not like they got much for him. It’s unlikely he will miss much time.
I wonder if the Tigers promote Wynton Bernard to take Cam’s place.
I would bet on Tyler Collins before Bernard. It’s more likely, though, that if he’s not ready for opening day, they might go with 3 catchers because Holaday is out of options. Aviles would be the 4th OF should they need one.
Has Collins played CF before? How serviceable is Aviles? I figure Holaday will be traded by opening day. You don’t really see teams carry 3 catchers before September 1.
The option of keeping Holaday gives them leverage in any possible trade deal. You could look at Holaday as the backup catcher and Salty as a lefthanded bat and 3rd catcher off the bench.
Carrying three catchers isn’t practical. Holaday is playing backup elsewhere when the Tigers head south next month.
South?
Further south, Miami. Where they open the season
It’s not like they would be keeping 3 catchers on the roster all season. Once Maybin is ready, most 40 rosters will be full and 25 man will be set. I’m sure the Tigers would prefer the 3rd C to make it thru waivers and be at Toledo when needed.
No way Holoday would make it through waivers. I guarantee that.
I’d like to see Moya get shot at the bigs for a season…
Moya is again likely to be up in September unless Martinez gets hurt.
Is he on the 40 man roster? If not, don’t count on it. Maybin may be ready by opening day and by the 12-13th of April at the latest according to Avila. I can see giving someone more time in camp than they would otherwise have had, but come opening day they will probably just start Gose every day until Maybin returns. Makes more sense to carry an extra pitcher than call up a kid to take Maybin’s place.
Yes, Bernard is on the 40. No, he’s not really a kid.
Then why not promote him and see what he can do, even for a small sample size? Then later in the season, when Maybin gets hurt again, and if they continue to like him, he’s first available. He’s at that age where where it’s time to firs or cut bait with him anyway.
*fish not firs