Curtis Granderson talks home runs and playoff focus for Tigers
Former Tigers OF Curtis Granderson breaks down one of his most memorable hits, shares optimal mentality to have in playoffs on “Days of Roar” podcast.
TORONTO – For what seemed like months, the Detroit Tigers were hit with bad news after bad news when it came to injured players.
But, finally, there is light at the end of a dark tunnel of strains and inflammation. Manager A.J. Hinch offered updates of several players on Sunday, May 18 and most of it was good news for the Tigers (30-16).
At the very least, nothing was bad.
Good sign for Matt Vierling
Matt Vierling, recovering from a shoulder strain, played third base at Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, May 17. “It is a good sign,” Hinch said before the Tigers played the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. “He still has not made a lot of competitive throws, which you can’t create. You kind of have to hope that the action finds him.”
Vierling was scheduled to be off Sunday and will play in Toledo on Tuesday, May 20.
“We have to get him tested in a game,” Hinch said. “So we have an allotted amount of time and we’re going to use whatever we need to before we bring him back. But there’s not a lot you can do. We can do some work in between.”
Vierling will do some rehab activity on Monday, May 19 at Comerica Park along with several other players.
“It’s sort of on this type of injury where you want him to throw,” Hinch said. “You can’t create that very easily. So patience is the best key and making sure he checks all the boxes before we bring him back is going to be important. The worst thing we can do, is not test him, bring him back, have him be tested in the big leagues and have an issue there. We’ll see where it takes us.”
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Parker Meadows ‘threw great’
Meadows continues to take encouraging steps.
Meadows, who has been out with a nerve issue in his throwing arm, threw to bases on Saturday, May 17 in Toronto.
“Parker threw great,” Hinch said. “He’s continued to take steps forward. Quality of throwing has been there and getting better and better. I think his confidence is growing.”
Meadows will take live batting practice against Casey Mize on Monday, May 19 at Comerica Park.
Mize is coming back from a hamstring injury.
The matchup “will be the next step for him and for Casey to be able to get off the mound a little bit,” Hinch said. “Once that happens, we can reevaluate what’s next for him, but we’re getting closer and closer by the day.”
Reese Olson and his finger
The morning after getting pulled from a game because of a finger “irritation,” Reese Olson said that he felt “fine.”
The Tigers took Olson out after he completed six innings of scoreless, one-hit ball against the Blue Jays on Saturday, May 17. The Tigers could not hold on and lost 2-1.
Olson said his only treatment was ice.
“I don’t know what to make of this yet until we get a full evaluation,” Hinch said. “He was going to play catch today. At this point, I don’t know how that went. It was really impacting the grip of his pitches. That was the concern level. And now we have a few days to ensure that things are good with him.
Jake Rogers on assignment
Jake Rogers is back in the lineup … in Toledo.
When the Mud Hens released their lineup on Sunday, May 18, Rogers was starting at catcher and batting leadoff.
Rogers is coming back from an oblique strain, last appearing in a game with the Tigers on April 7.
The loose plan is for Keider Montero to pitch Monday, May 19 in St. Louis.
Perhaps, the Tigers would use an opener, although how many relievers they use on Sunday against the Blue Jays would impact that decision.
But it’s expected to rain Monday in St. Louis. Even if the game gets rained out, Tarik Skubal will start Tuesday in St. Louis.
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on X @seideljeff.
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