October 31: Torres underwent the hernia procedure today, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. He is expected to be cleared for baseball activities in four weeks.
October 11: With the Tigers’ season now over, Gleyber Torres is planning to undergo sports hernia surgery, the second baseman told reporters (including the Detroit News’ Tony Paul) in the aftermath of the club’s loss in Game Five of the ALDS. Torres revealed that he has been dealing with the injury for several months, and praised the Tigers’ training and medical staff for helping him keep playing.
“It was not good from the [start of the] second half,” Torres said. “It was a lot of pain. But we do a really good job keeping me playing….It’s not about the numbers, it’s just about playing every day.”
A look at Torres’ numbers, however, clearly reveals something was amiss. Torres hit .281/.387/.425 over 359 plate appearances in the first half of the season, and was performing well enough to earn a starting nod as the American League’s second baseman in the All-Star Game. Once the All-Star break was over, however, Torres hit only .223/.320/.339 over his final 269 PA of the regular season. He seemed to rediscover his stroke over Detroit’s first seven postseason games, but an 0-for-6 showing in yesterday’s 15-inning marathon with the Mariners dropped Torres’ playoff slash line to .235/.316/.382 over 38 PA.
Torres’ slide mirrored the Tigers’ own fortunes. One of baseball’s better clubs for much of the season, Detroit went 9-22 over its last 31 games and barely squeaked into the postseason field in the final AL wild card slot. If the Tigers had retained their healthy AL Central lead, Torres likely would’ve gotten more opportunity to rest down the stretch, and yet the mutual struggles of player and team led to the Tigers led to an unfortunate Catch-22 situation. The Tigers still needed Torres in the lineup as much as possible as their top-choice second baseman, yet Torres’ struggles kept adding to the team’s woes (though Torres was far from the only Detroit player to under-perform in September).
The injury adds context to Torres’ second-half decline, and adds a wrinkle to his upcoming free agent market. Firstly, sports hernia surgeries usually take at least two months of recovery time and closer to 12 weeks on the longer end, so the procedure shouldn’t impact his readiness for the start of Spring Training. Interested suitors might now wait until Torres is fully recovered before diving too deeply into his market, so it is possible he might not sign until late December or early January.
For the season as a whole, Torres hit .256/.358/.387 with 16 homers over 628 PA, with below-average glovework (though better public defensive metrics than his 2024 work as the Yankees’ second baseman). This works out to 2.6 fWAR, which was still eighth-best among all second baseman in 2025. Looking at the free agent second base market, Torres is still arguably the best option available, since Jorge Polanco’s time at second base was also impacted by injury.
Torres’ reps at Octagon will clearly make the case that their client’s first-half performance is a better reflection of what a healthy Torres can bring. Detroit signed Torres to a one-year, $15MM contract last winter that was essentially a pillow deal for the second baseman, as he was looking a shorter-term deal and a better platform year in 2025 that would allow him to re-enter the market with a stronger set of numbers. Torres hit .257/.330/.378 with 15 homers over 665 PA (with a 105 wRC+ and 1.8 fWAR) for New York in 2024, so while he did improve in Detroit, it wasn’t the leap ahead he was hoping to achieve.
Could a return to Motown be possible? Torres is open to it, saying “hopefully we get a really good conversation here. I feel really good with this group….It was really special this year.” Retaining Torres would be a logical way for the Tigers to keep a right-handed hitting bat within their lefty-tilted lineup. On the flip side, a longer-term deal with a second baseman might not appeal to a Tigers team that has some notable minor league infielders (Hao-Yu Lee, Max Anderson, and star prospect Kevin McGonigle) nearing MLB readiness.
This perfectly illustrates how critical depth is in sports. By his own admission, it was more important to be playing every day, even though his performance was borderline detrimental to the team’s outcome.
This shows that Gleyber was only thinking about his next contract. If he was on a multi year deal, he would have taken surgery already. Wish him luck next year.
I don’t disagree about his motivations. I think more for the team’s aspect of it, because I think we all know if they would have had a healthy viable piece to plug at 2b they would have gone that route.
Agreed That guy. I’m not a Torres fan but he won me over somewhat this year. He didn’t hide the injury and thanked the club’s medical team for keeping him off the IL. I think with this injury declared, he will have opportunities in free agency once the medical reports show the surgery was a success. His major drawback though remains his refusal to play other positions.
That – Please explain to me how having the surgery now instead of 3 months ago somehow benefits him.
He allowed his numbers to tank because his team needed him, just like Raffy Devers did last year.
How does Gleyber’s awful second half performance help him in any way?
SMH …..
Fever, hernias can be mild or severely debilitating and not many have surgery if it’s “optional”. It appears that he discussed options with the Tigers’ medical team and agreed he would play through it. It could have gotten worse and surgery now should clean him up. His value could be increased because teams have an explanation as to why his second half was bad.
Dewey – My friend you misread my post.
I was replying to mlbnyy’s belief that Gleyber was being selfish by continuing to play with the injury.
I simply pointed out it’s nonsensical to arrive at that conclusion, because continuing to play through the injury actually had a very negative impact on Gleyber …. he had nothing to gain from it. He was just being a great team player.
I’m not trying to say he was only doing it for himself. Obviously he was invested in the team and their success, but back to my original point: The team didn’t provide adequate depth, which forced the player and themselves into a difficult position.
Guy – I have to agree with you on the internet ;O)
Then I have failed. I’ll have to change my handle to That Guy You Used to Argue with on the Internet
…which is the 21st century business model for ALL MLB players who are unable to secure a long term deal at an acceptable AAV after they enter free agency.
He was doing it to himself by being injured and struggling ? Explain that one to me?
If anything he would have opted for surgery right away and ended his year on a high note.
Nobody wants someone taking their place, whether that’s the actual reality or a person’s perception, as I hoped I laid out the team’s lack of roster depth forced the player into a position of playing when it was detrimental to player and team.
Shouldn’t have been playing. Especially with McGonigle on the farm. Management is holding this team back with ineptness.
McGonigle has played only 46 games at AA. At the time Torres hernia was discovered he hadn’t even played those games.
Inept is not even getting something correct in hindsight.
It’s nice to start every at-bat with a pair of balls hanging near the plate
Makes sense as his numbers fell off a cliff the 2nd half of the year.
He was a steady influence for the young players and should get a 3-4 year deal for less AAV. Probably a 3 40 or 4 50 would make sense. Not sure Detroit even makes an offer though unless they give a qualifying offer. With the prospects ready to move it doesn’t make sense to keep him, unless it’s a team friendly deal
Hes a known commodity though and they could trade Anderson, Jung or Lee to address other needs. McGonigle seems like he has proven himself at SS and I don’t see Javy and Sweeney standing in his way there when the time comes. I wouldn’t be sad if they brought Gleyber back.
OK, how about signing Gleyber for 3 years and trade for Bohm for 3B? Bohm hits well against lefties and he’s a decent defender.
Tork, Gleyber, Baez and Bohm across the infield with McKinstry on the bench. That’s a pretty decent infield Keith as depth at 2B and 3B and at DH.
Outfield: Greene in left, Wenceel in right, Carpenter at DH… I think they need a new CF. Meadows as the 4th OFer. How about a deal for O’Neil Cruz? Power and speed… defense is questionable, but he just started playing CF. He might improve.
Catcher: Dingler… I would like to see them get Caratini as a back-up. He’s a good bat and can play 1B if needed.
Spend money on the pitching… get a starter and a couple bullpen arms… Framber Valdez and Edwin Diaz and Caleb Ferguson.
I’d rather see Keith play 3B. Bohm has 1B in his future with little power to warrant playing there and Tork has that covered. Go big for Schwarber and let Carp split OF reps with Perez like he’s been doing. I wouldn’t mind all the others you mention but I like the thought of Devin Williams in the pen as well.
The Tigers got Gleyber to replace Tork. They signed Keith the previous year for 6 years to be their 2B of the future. Tork had a disappointing 2024 and the thought was to play Gleyber at 2B, move Keith to 1B and see if Tork could turn it around, but not hope too much. As it turned out, Tork did turn it around and now he appears to be their 1B at least for his next three arb years. They’re going to pl;ay Keith, who didn’t have a bad year, is signed long term and at 25 has every right to get better. Assuming they don’t trade Skubal, they’re going to have to spend a fair amount to build a team around his last season as a Tiger. Given what they have on the right side of the infield, Gleyber is a luxury they can’t afford, and with McGonigle on the way, they’re not going to want long term contracts with Keith and Gleyber. I don’t see them bringing Gleyber back.
QO?
No.
Torres is streaky with or without nagging injuries.
That was one heck of a game and my 1945 World Series rerun of Cubs- Tigers is dead. Sigh……
But the ALCS 1977 Toronto-Seattle Expansion Series is very much alive!
I see 50M as the absolute limit on any contract he gets. Teams simply don’t go very high for second base only types, especially poor defenders.
Why don’t you pinch hit for him yesterday if he was hurt??? What terrible management lmao
Go ahead and let us know who you would have brought off the bench so we can call you an idiot
Sports hernia or not, I doubt he will be back. Tigers have 3 young 2B with Jung, Lee, and Anderson who will likely be given the chance to make the team. 2B’s don’t get a lot on the open market, healthy or not. The injury can be reasoned to have hurt his production, but teams will want to see him perform post injury before giving him a multi-year contract. I see another one year prove-it contract in his future.
…and don’t count McGonigle out as next year’s second baseman. It’s his natural position. His throwing arm at SS is adequate but not great.
Move Keith back to 2B and just let him play. They signed him to a 7 yr deal, and ever since have platooned him, and moved him into a utility position.. They embarrass themselves with this poor plan.
Sounds like Hinch’s fault for allowing an injured player to go out there day after day and play terribly due to his injury. Same deal with Colt Keith in the postseason, he was still injured and shouldn’t have been on the roster for the Seattle series.
The Tigers had a great season. They have all winter and spring to plan for next season. Tigers have a loaded farm system, and we all know they don’t hesitate to go after someone they like. 15 innings in a 5th game of 5 is pretty much leaving it all on the field. Next year. Next year is what keeps peoples hopes alive, and that’s the fun part of baseball. GREAT SEASON DETROIT TIGERS WHO GAVE IT THEIR ALL !
I was totally mind-boggled over Hinch not pinch-hitting or subbing or anything in the 15 inning marathon. I mean, he is known for mixing and making chaos and he didn’t do it one time. Wow, what a game that was!
Wi ked game! I hope your Mariners win it all. Best of luck dude.
It would have been an honor to win that game or lose that game, it could have easily been on the other foot my man. Still can’t believe it. And Tigers fans have been total class everywhere I have seen them in comment sections and on TV , etc. Classy org and will be looking forward to playing you guys next year. Both of our teams are set up for continued success with our highly ranked farms and everything. Seattle is better now having played the Tigers. That series was a clinic. Cheers for now!
Tigers are ahead of schedule, waiting for McGonigle, Clark, Briceno, Liranzo, Rainer to come up. Other than Keith at 2B the entire infield needs an overhaul.
Did you watch yesterday? I think Keith is in the thick of it.
Tork played well this year and I think Keith stays at 3B for next year. That could all start to change soon with all those prospects close plus Jung, Anderson and Lee to boot.
Taking a month-long sports detox. That Tigers season burned me out. Deleting ESPN app and not checking scores for a month. When I come back I’m sure I’ll be validated not watching Red Wings hockey anyway.
I think it’s unreasonable to trash him for this. If he was “just playing for his contract” then the time to get the surgery is right after the AS break–he makes the team, announces for the surgery, comes back maybe late September, shows what he’s got ina no risk situation. .This result doesn’t serve his economic needs at all. The surgery is much less intrusive than it might have been 30 years ago, but it still needs down time, rest, and avoidance from a lot of baseball-related activities–not just the game itself, but weights, stretching, etc.
Tigers could have traded for a 2B at the deadline. They refused. Gleyber is a selfish player and refused to change positions for the better of the team.
Don’t you think this is on Scott Harris/AJH/Trainers too to explain to Gleyber that by continuing to play at such a hobbled level that you’re doing harm to the team?? Is this a case of Tigers being too scared to say anything to him, and let him gimp along, I mean that would be something. Sheesh.
Owww. Weird Al would like to help ease the pain. The Doctor JB is in the house
Maybe I’m missing something here. It’s more important for you to be in the lineup everyday not producing and in pain not really helping the team much than it would’ve been to go on the IL, get it taken care of and come back next year stronger? Or even possibly return later in the season for the post season run to help. Just showing up every day doesn’t help a team when you don’t produce. I don’t really care if he comes back if we’re being honest.
Just in time to be ready to ST. Tigers should resign Torres to a 2 yr. deal.
I’d be fine with that, but I suspect someone else will pony up more $$$. Keep in mind that they have to make room for Max Anderson, perhaps right out of Sprint Training, and perhaps McGonigle later in the year.
This will be unpopular but I wish the stros could somehow drop Altuve and pick up Torres. Would be a bad pr move for someone who’s been so loyal to the team but sometimes you have to make hard decisions like that.
Altuve is retiring an Astro. Why would they release an expensive player to pick up a questionable replacement when the team has other greater needs? Bringing in Torres for Altuve doesn’t move the needle.
Altuve had a .5 war last year Torres had 2.9
How is that not an improvement ?
Altuve is owed $82M over the next four years. Bringing on Torres will cost over $10M per at the minimum. Assuming neither gets better, how is spending over $30M per, when resources are limited, for a 2.4 WAR improvement a good use of payroll?
Like I said it was an unpopular take and I even included “I wish”. Theres no denying that Torres is the better player at this point. It was just hopeful wishing, Altuve is a liability at this point. Again I said I wish not hey this is going to happen.
I also don’t think Gleyber Torres is going to sign for $30 million a year but hey we’ll just have to wait and see