The Tigers made a pair of corresponding roster moves, reinstating Victor Reyes from the injured list and optioning Elvin Rodriguez to Triple-A, per the team.
The Tigers outfield is slowly but surely getting a little bit healthier, with Robbie Grossman returning to the club yesterday. It will be interesting to see if Reyes can keep up the pace he established in his first 11 games this season. Reyes was slashing .292/.346/.458 through a small-sample 26 plate appearances, good for an unsustainable 131 wRC+. While it’s unfair to expect that level of production from Reyes, even topping the 100 wRC+ mark would be a win for a Detroit team desperate for offense. A quad strain has kept the 27-year-old out of action since May 16th.
Reyes has yet to see regular playing time this season, but he absolutely could step into center field for the time being. Derek Hill and Daz Cameron have largely been sharing that responsibility, but Cameron is now on the COVID injured list and Hill has a 61 wRC+ on the season through 92 plate appearances. Cameron was better with a 94 wRC+ across 61 plate appearances. But neither guy had been receiving regular run as the everyday guy. Willi Castro has been the third piece, stepping in at all three outfield spots while posting an 82 wRC+.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, gets sent to Triple-A after getting knocked around in Friday’s ballgame, yielding eight earned runs in just 4 1/3 innings against the Blue Jays. This comes on the heels of allowing 10 earned runs in 4 1/3 against the Yankees. Outside of a scoreless four-inning outing against the Guardians on May 29th, Rodriguez has largely struggled this season.
Furthermore, Eduardo Rogriguez is expected to return sometime this week and take back his rotation spot. It will be interesting to see if Detroit decided to go back to a three-man bench at that point. If that’s the case, Hill or Kody Clemens could be the odd man out, with both outfielders having options remaining.
Bench Grossman, has lost his hitting touch, play Reyes instead when Greene is activated release Grossman..
Trying to release him before he even has a chance to prove anything. He’s been out with injury.
Release him ? Extension of his contract is more in order.
Yes, let’s extend Grossman who is over 30 and batting 199 with no homers when we have Meadows, Castro, Reyes, Cameron, Hill, Greene, and Carpenter. Another mediocre outfielder is just what the Tigers need.
Carpenter? Castro, Reyes, Cameron, Hill, Greene, and Clemens are all unproven. It would be foolish to give up on last years best OF.
If Grossman doesn’t improve dramatically, this will be his last year with the Tigers (and rightly so). They have Meadows and Greene, they’ll need to pick up a third guy (via trade or free agency). Baddoo, Reyes, Hill, W. Càstro and Cameron can fight it out for the fourth spot.
How about a more rational view. Don’t release him or extend him.
Right now, I agree with you.
I think Elvin did a great job considering the circumstances!
Keep at it! Look at the tapes!
Elvin was really good when he commanded his FB/curve combo. He provided for some really tough ABs for the Yanks lineup, despite the final line score.
One can see he has a lot of potential.
Didn’t Grossman foul one off his knee yesterday? Looked painful, hopefully won’t keep him out long if at all.
So here is this guy hoping he can play, while another poster wants to release him. I still believe in Grossman. Maybe he just needs good health. Or, a change of scenery. He would be a great 4th OF’er on a contending team.
As a baseball fan, I don’t like seeing anyone injured. I’m a Jays fan and turned the game off shortly after that AB.
He wasn’t that injured. He walked himself off the field
The Jays apparently went hard after Grossman last TD, He’s got to be better than Tapia and Zimmer
Why? We have Greene and Carpenter in the minors. The Tigers need offense and Grossman is not part of the future.
Depth in your farm system is one thing we don’t have as far as hitters go. Obviously the depth in the pitching department is being tested. Surely nobody expected Bo Brieske or Elvin Rodriguez to be members of the starting staff. At least not this year.
Eduardo Rogriguez??? Do better, Zencka.
It is Eduardo who is supposed to be coming back.
ROGRIGUEZ???
ELVIN has left the building !!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!
Is he always on your mind?
As a pitcher he ain’t nothin but a hound dog who got jailhouse rocked.
The Tigers need a hit. They can’t send Kody C. down until he gets a one, right? He’s 0-16 so far. He’s due!
Maybe they can loan Elvin Rodriguez to the other side just to pitch to Kody.
Jomboy picked apart how Elvin tips his pitches, so easy to see. He needs to fix it. Great potential though.
I did some looking up on this Carpenter kid in MILB. Talk about coming outta nowhere! Didn’t even know he existed before this season and I try my best to keep up with the SeaWolves, MudHens, Flying Tigers, etc. Doubt he will hit as well against MLB pitching but in a season that is mostly lost to the injury bug and the guys on the roster not getting it done, definitely worth a look!
First, they need to send Carpenter to Toledo. Then, next year he might get a chance to play for Detroit.
Things aren’t getting better for Tigers. I hate it!
Time to start dumping veterans with inflated salary’s and let the kids play. If you’re on pace to lose 100 games, who cares? May as well look for a gem