Tigers' No. 3 prospect Briceño homers for first time this year in second rehab game
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It's almost like Josue Briceño never left.
MLB's No. 60 prospect, who hit a career-high 20 homers in 2025, connected on his first roundtripper of the season in only his second rehab game as Single-A Lakeland topped Palm Beach, 7-1, at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Briceño began his rehab in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League on Saturday before being transferred to the Flying Tigers for Tuesday's game. In the fourth inning, the 60-grade power hitter whiffed on back-to-back changeups from righty Jesús García (Cardinals) before slicing the third one over the left-field wall. It was the first homer for the Tigers' No. 3 prospect since Sept. 16, a postseason game for Double-A Erie.
Briceño, who was the starting catcher Tuesday, went 1-for-3 before exiting the contest after the fifth.
Briceño underwent surgery to repair the extensor carpi ulnaris subsheath in his right wrist at the start of Spring Training, which sidelined him for a few months. The 21-year-old had made a favorable impression in big league camp, including when he homered off a Tarik Skubal slider during live batting practice in February. He went 2-for-12 with a double and two RBIs in six Grapefruit League games.
During a breakout campaign last season, Briceño slashed .266/.383/.500 across 100 games between High-A and Double-A. He posted a 1.024 OPS with High-A West Michigan, playing alongside Detroit starting shortstop Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark (DET No. 1/MLB No. 14).