Zach McKinstry’s stint on the injured list has left a noticeable gap for the Tigers, despite his struggles at the plate before his departure. Officially sidelined due to hip and abdominal inflammation, McKinstry’s absence is compounded by the recent loss of Parker Meadows, who suffered a broken arm in a collision with Riley Greene.
McKinstry’s ability to cover multiple positions on the field has been sorely missed, especially after infielder Jace Jung was called up to fill in for Javy Báez, who is out with a broken ankle. McKinstry and Meadows were among the few Tigers with a positive Outs Above Average (OAA), underscoring their defensive value.
The Tigers have taken a step towards McKinstry’s return by sending him on a rehab assignment to Single-A Lakeland. Although he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout, he seemed to move well, suggesting progress in his recovery. However, his journey back to the big leagues is still ongoing, with a stop at Triple-A likely before rejoining the Tigers.
In McKinstry’s absence, Hao-Yu Lee has been called up, but the real question is who will be sent down when McKinstry is ready to return. The focus is on Jace Jung, who was called up on Wednesday and made an appearance as Detroit’s designated hitter. Despite limited opportunities, Jung managed to draw a walk and score a run, though he also struck out.
Jung has a narrow window to demonstrate his worth and potentially secure his spot over Lee, especially if manager AJ Hinch decides to give him more than just pinch-hit appearances or late-inning defensive roles. Historically, Jung has been one of the Tigers’ more underwhelming top prospects, while Lee has shown signs of heating up, hitting his first major league home run against the Reds and a double against the Braves.
With Javy Báez’s return on the horizon, both Jung and Lee are likely to find themselves back in Triple-A eventually. The current situation is a test of endurance, with each player vying to stay in the majors as long as possible before Báez’s timeline becomes clear. Jung’s opportunities may be limited, but if he wants to prove he’s more than just a temporary fill-in, making a significant impact, such as hitting his first major league home run, would be a crucial step.