The Tigers are placing third baseman/outfielder Matt Vierling back on the injured list. Per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, Vierling is going on the 10-day IL due to right shoulder inflammation. Outfielder Wenceel Pérez has been reinstated from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move. The Tigers’ 40-man count climbs from 38 to 39.
There aren’t many details about Vierling’s current status but it’s an ominous development nonetheless. His shoulder issues first popped up three months ago. In late February, the club announced that he had been diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain. He spent several weeks trying to get healthy and was reinstated from the IL on Friday. Now just a few days later, he’s back on the IL due to that same shoulder.
There will surely be more updates on Vierling’s status in the coming days, but it feels like a bad sign that he has apparently aggravated the shoulder that has already been an issue for basically the entire year. “We put him on the injured list which should tell you we don’t think he can play,” manager A.J. Hinch said, per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. “We’ll have more information as we get more tests, and more doctors need to weigh in.”
Over 2023 and 2024, Vierling hit a combined .259/.320/.406 for the Tigers, producing a 104 wRC+. He did that while primarily playing third base and the outfield. Third base has been a bit of a hole for Detroit this year, as they have a collective .202/.279/.285 line from that position. Jace Jung got optioned to the minors a couple of weeks ago after he couldn’t do much at the plate. Utility players like Zach McKinstry, Andy Ibáñez and Javier Báez have seen time at the hot corner and will have to continue to do so.
In the outfield, the Tigers have been without Vierling, Pérez and Parker Meadows for much of the season. They’ve managed to get good production from the grass regardless, thanks largely to Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter, while McKinstry, Báez and others have chipped in as well. That group will again have to hold things down in the outfield without Vierling, though as least the return of Pérez gives them another option.
Photo courtesy of Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images
Bruh…
Didn’t he just come back? That’s disappointing news…
Are you effing kidding me?
A strained rotator cuff meant torn tissue. I always thought that would mean surgery and a lost season. I was happy when he began working toward a recovery, and now this. Hopefully Parker Meadows has a more complete recovery and comes back to the parent club soon.
Sounds like tendinitis at minimum, but now surgery seems increasingly likely. Tough recovery either way…
There’s a difference between a torn rotator cuff and a strained rotator cuff.
Yes, but a strain is still torn tissue even if it is just slight.
Tough break for Verling, just got back and now he’s hurt again, prayers for a speedy recovery
I couldn’t believe he made it back at all, figured for sure he would need surgery and miss the entire season. I have to believe that’s going to be the ultimate result for him, I bet he’s out all season.
Not good news and I’d expect additional information is forthcoming and likely worse news along the lines of Veirling needing season ending rotator cuff surgery. Bummer as he’s a valuable player for the Tigers, so hopefully I’m wrong with my prediction
It’s a tough surgery to recover from but he probably does need it. Too bad because a healthy Vierling would make the Tigers even more fun to watch this season.
I think the Tigers will be able to handle this with aplomb as usual. Should be plenty of bodies around to help cover the missing production. It’s not a 5-Alarm Fire. Take deep breaths into the paper sack.
Agreed. The Tigers have gotten this far without him, Perez and Meadows. Perez makes his season debut tonight and Meadows should be back in one or two weeks. They’ll be fine. I just feel bad for Vierling.
Not like it was Greene or skubal. We’re talking about Matt veirling
You mean their best WAR player last year, Matt Vierling?
Well, sorry, 2nd best WAR among the 2024 Tigers behind Riley. Greene was 5.4, Vierling 3.0 and then a cavern before a glut of guys hovering near/around 2.0.
Vierling was an indispensable part of that crazy last 40 game run to the playoffs and defensively was their best corner OF while handling 3B above average metrically as well.
Losing MV would absolutely hurt this team over a 162 game season and playoffs, even if they’ve survived and even thrived while he has been out.
It leaves little to no margin for error. AJ thrives & the lineup in general is at its best when they have a plethora of guys that can play multiple positions, with balanced L/R splits. Without him you can ill afford a return to Earth by Baez, ‘cuz then you quickly run low on competent RH infielders.
Unless of course they plan on adding at the deadline.
Surgery on the shoulder seems like the most likely outcome which is disappointing because he was really expected to be someone Detroit could build their team around.
Vierling will be missed but was never the type of player you build a team around. He’s a solid piece, nothing more. I would not have expected the Tigers to offer him a long term extension. For this year, he would have been a good fit at 3B. I guess now Javy moves to 3B with Perez helping in CF?
They have a decent mix to choose from at 3B with Ibanez, Baez and McKinistry. Hopefully Jung can figure things out in the minors and start showing some power in the majors.
Baez didn’t just “chip in”. He’s been playing gold glove caliber Centerfield and has been the main center fielder.
Well….. that didn’t last long….
I recall how Vierling came up with the Phillies. He seemed like a good guy that had good vibes he gave off. And he has some talent. Hopefully, even if this costs him the season, he comes back strong next year (if not sooner).
If I’m the Tigers I’d be all-in on Bichette at the deadline. I know he hasn’t ever really played 3B, but his skill set seems to hint he’d handle it just fine.
Though if this production by the lineup is as real as it seems they could afford a little bit more of a gamble if there was a Gold Glove 3B available who’s bat speed has decreased as he’s aged…hmmm…like Arenado?
If Cards fall out of the race, can they talk him into waiving his No Trade? Would St. Louis cover half his remaining salary if it meant picking up a second Tigers prospect, maybe a Top 15 and a Top 25 in their organization?
For example, 2B/3B Lee and RHP Hamm?
Arenado is a stud defensively. They could slot him 7th or 8th in the lineup, let him be the “professional at bat” deeper in the lineup while providing a bit of thump.
I’d be for that…if St Louis is covering some of the cash.
At this point Arenado doesn’t seem to be much of an upgrade over the multiple options they’re relying on now (Ibanez, McKinistry, Baez). I’d rather see Lee get promoted and try out 3rd than ship him out for Arenado.
See Lee in person.
Since the Indians probably aren’t going to give us Jose Ramirez, I’d like to see the Tigers develop our own little Jose Ramirez. Hau-Yu Lee is my candidate. I’m closing my eyes and making my wish. (But I’m not holding my breath.)
Tough break on Vierling. On the positive side, we’ve done pretty good without him so far. Hopefully, Parker gets well soon. Perez HR tonight makes things not as scary.
Good point. McG looked ahead of everyone and like he was ready for a promotion before the injury.
Get it over with. Do the surgery now and maybe he can be ready for next year.
I’m still worried that Meadows isn’t going to be 100% either.
Thank goodness Báez has found his groove.
Tigers need to find a 3rd baseman for the stretch run. Arenado might fit, but the Cards are n the hunt too. They may not want to give him up.
Bohm from Phillie? Arias from Baltimore? Espinal from Reds? McMahon from Rockies?
Ryan Mc Mahon doesn’t fit on the Tigers. Absolutely NO on Alec Bohm.
The Tigers need a 3B / CF type.
Jace Jung will get a chance to be everyday 2B eventually.
Even though Chris Taylor isn’t hitting, he’d be a good fit in Detroit.
McMahon would be an excellent fit for the Tigers.
Rockies are doomed, for years. McMahon has years of control left. Tigers have a lot of currency.
Give up on Jung. Ship him to the Rockies. Send them a pitching prospect. Ship them a young bat.
Rockies need players
I think Jung for McMahon makes a ton of sense.
He’s DH only when he returns
Jung’s problem is not position, it’s hitting. Doesn’t really matter. Rockies would be nuts to trade McMahon now.
They’ll do it at the deadline.
It he’s out for the year, it makes the Torres signing more significant & basically guarantees he’s here all year. Torres definitely will be given a QO to get a comp pick back unless he decides to stay.
I’d be surprised if Torres will be worth a QO. That’s going to be around $22 million. I like Gleyber, but he’s not worth that to play 2B.
I have a feeling MV isn’t going to play again this year & he’s probably headed for surgery.