Injuries & Moves: Miller to return this series; Malloy called up
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June 3: RHP Shelby Miller to return from injured list at Texas
Though Miller met up with the team in his home state and was at his locker for pregame work, the Tigers have not yet reinstated him from the 15-day IL. He was scheduled to throw off a mound Monday.
“I would expect to see him at some point in this series,” manager A.J. Hinch said of Miller, who tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings on two hits with a walk and three strikeouts in a pair of rehab appearances for Triple-A Toledo.
June 3: 1B Spencer Torkelson optioned to Triple-A Toledo; OF Justyn-Henry Malloy selected from Toledo
The Tigers had waited for Torkelson to emerge from his early slump but opted to have him work on his swing in the Minors after a 3-for-37 slump dropped his average to .201 and his OPS to .597, good for a 70 OPS+. He’ll work on his swing with Mud Hens hitting coach Mike Hessman and Tigers organizational instructors.
“To be a well-rounded offensive player at this level, you’ve got to cover a lot of things, and you’ve got to be able to make some adjustments,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “And that had been hit or miss with Tork. I think that some time in Toledo and some work with Hess and our Minor League development staff will do him well to come back at some point and impact this roster.”
June 3: IF Buddy Kennedy designated for assignment
Kennedy filled in admirably for an injured Gio Urshela in April with some solid defense while going 2-for-10 with a home run and four RBIs in six games before being optioned to Triple-A Toledo. But with the Tigers' infield fairly healthy, infielder Ryan Kreidler back from the injured list at Toledo and Eddys Leonard not far behind, the Tigers could afford to drop Kennedy from their 40-man roster to open a spot for Justyn-Henry Malloy. Kennedy hit .234 with the Mud Hens with 12 doubles, three homers, 14 RBIs and a .714 OPS in 39 games.
This is the second time Kennedy has been designated this year; the Tigers claimed him off waivers from the Cardinals under similar circumstances in February. If he clears waivers, the Tigers can outright him to Toledo.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Shelby Miller (right ulnar nerve inflammation)
Expected return: This week
Miller joined the Tigers in Texas on June 3 and is expected to be reinstated to the active roster on June 4 or 5. He has allowed two hits and a walk over 2 1/3 innings in two rehab appearances with Toledo. (Last updated: June 3)
OF Kerry Carpenter (lumbar spine stress fracture)
Expected return: TBD
Carpenter was placed on the injured list on May 29, retroactive to May 27, after dealing with lower back soreness that worsened. On May 31, the Tigers updated the status of Carpenter’s injury from lumbar spine inflammation to lumbar spine stress fracture. On June 1, manager A.J. Hinch explained that due to variables with this injury, there was no clear sign of when the outfielder might return. (Last updated: June 1)
RHP Jackson Jobe (left hamstring strain; Tigers' No. 1 prospect, MLB No. 10)
Expected return: Possibly June
Jobe is throwing bullpen sessions after straining his left hamstring following through on a pitch during a start for Double-A Erie on May 1. The Tigers are expected to be cautious with his timetable so as not to risk Jobe putting his arm in danger of injury by compensating for his hamstring. (Last updated: May 29)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long (left groin strain, right forearm tightness)
Expected return: 2025
After having UCL repair surgery on his right elbow, Gipson-Long is completing rehab daily in Lakeland, Fla. The Tigers transferred him to the 60-day injured list on May 7 to open a 40-man roster spot. (Last updated: May 7)