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Detroit Tigers' Ryan Kreidler arrives to help at shortstop, but he isn't replacing Javier Báez
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- Detroit Tigers' Ryan Kreidler arrives to help at shortstop, but he isn't replacing Javier Báez
Ryan Kreidler has arrived, but he isn't the everyday shortstop for the Detroit Tigers .
This isn't an audition, either.
The Tigers lost Javier Báez , their true everyday shortstop, to the injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Sunday, with lumbar spine inflammation . The Tigers recalled Kreidler from Triple-A Toledo to help fill the void at the shortstop position in a platoon role with fellow utility player Zach McKinstry .
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"It was (looking) a little bit like a timeshare between Kreidler and McKinstry," manager A.J. Hinch said. "They're going to play and be a part of this mix, specifically Kreidler, who's going to play against all lefties, but he's still going to get some at-bats against right-handed pitching, as well."
Detroit Tigers infielder Ryan Kreidler practice during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.
Kreidler is an elite defender at shortstop, but the reason he hasn't been handed the full-time shortstop duties in the short term is because he has failed to perform on offense and stay healthy throughout the last three seasons.
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The 26-year-old is a .165 hitter with one home run, six walks and 29 strikeouts across 37 games in his MLB career.
"This is probably the first time in his major-league career where he feels like he's in the mix a little bit more," Hinch said. "With that, I also told him, 'Don't try to be anything more than your best.' It's so hard for a player who's trying to break in and establish himself to try to do too much or try to do more."
Kreidler, a former prospect selected by the Tigers in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, fractured his right hand in April 2022 , underwent core muscle surgery in June 2024 and fractured his right index finger in April 2024 .
Kreidler has played 16 games in the 2024 season.
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He hit .100 (2-for-20) with one walk and 11 strikeouts in seven games during his rehab assignment with Low-A Lakeland. He also hit .160 (4-for-25) with two walks and 12 strikeouts in nine games with Triple-A Toledo.
Kreidler owns a terrible 40.6% whiff rate in those 16 games.
"Brutal," Kreidler said, when asked about his return from his third surgery in as many seasons. "Lakeland isn't a vacation destination this time of the year, no offense. It's been a long couple of years for me, injury-wise, with some tough breaks. You just stick your head in the dirt, and you come out on the other side."
MORE ABOUT HIM: Ryan Kreidler talks past injuries, hitting with Mark Trumbo, 2024 goals
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Facing the Washington Nationals , the Tigers match up against left-hander Mitchell Parker on Tuesday, right-hander Jake Irvin on Wednesday and left-hander MacKenzie Gore on Thursday.
Kreidler will start at shortstop Tuesday and Thursday, while McKinstry will start there Wednesday.
"Circumstances, you don't want that to happen to your teammate," Kreidler said. "Hopefully, it's just a short time for Javy and he's back with us pretty soon. But it's a great opportunity for me. I'm going to embrace it, try to play hard, keep these guys in the mix, do my part of defense and win some games."
Tigers shortstop Zach McKinstry bobbles a ground ball during the fourth inning against the Rangers on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Arlington, Texas.
It's almost a straight platoon with Kreidler against left-handers and McKinstry against right-handers, except Kreidler will receive some starts against right-handers when the Tigers clash with righty starters for several games in a row, such as the upcoming series against the Houston Astros .
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McKinstry, like Kreidler, has struggled on offense. The 29-year-old is hitting .198 with one home run, eight walks and 29 strikeouts in 43 games with the Tigers this season.
From 2023-24, Kreidler has a .200 batting average with a .688 OPS in 230 plate appearances against right-handed pitchers in the minor leagues. He also has a .280 batting average with a .933 OPS in 54 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers.
RED-HOT SPRING: Tigers shortstop Ryan Kreidler is headed to Toledo: 'I should've made the team'
If Kreidler hits more, he will play more.
But the Tigers haven't anointed Kreidler as the everyday shortstop in Báez's absence, and Kreidler isn't trying out to completely replace Báez.
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"We love his defense," Hinch said of Kreidler. "We love his energy. Base-running acumen is good. The bat has always been the big question. We have a very reliable defender and someone who's probably overdue to get a couple of at-bats in the big leagues to see where it can take him."
What is Kerry Carpenter doing?
Outfielder Kerry Carpenter (lumbar spine stress fracture) continues physical therapy, but he isn't doing any baseball activities. The 26-year-old hasn't played for the Tigers since May 26, and he hasn't been available to speak to reporters since May 29 .
The Tigers haven't provided a timetable for his return from the injured list.
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"To get things to heal, there's zero baseball activity," Hinch said. "There's not much to speak of on the baseball front. On the rehab front, whether it's heat, whether it's exercises, those aren't really glorious to talk about or write about, but it's just general physical therapy that he's going through until he can introduce baseball activity in the weeks ahead."
MORE THAN JUST A BIG BAT: Kerry Carpenter is a great hitter, and now a reliable outfielder too
Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty pitches against the Red Sox during the first inning on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Fenway Park.
Jack Flaherty update
Right-hander Jack Flaherty (low back tightness) didn't start Tuesday against the Nationals, as initially scheduled, but he is expected to avoid the injured list and start Friday or Saturday against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
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The 28-year-old received an injection Monday and is scheduled to play catch Wednesday. The Tigers are taking a cautious approach with Flaherty's return after he exited his previous start after 60 pitches because of pain in his lower back.
Flaherty, who signed a one-year, $14 million contract and is the Tigers' best trade chip, has a 3.22 ERA with 10 walks and 94 strikeouts across 72⅔ innings in 12 starts.
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Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple , Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts .
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Next up: Nationals
Matchup: Tigers (32-33 entering Tuesday) vs. Washington (30-35).
First pitch: 6:40 p.m. Wednesday; Comerica Park, Detroit.
TV/radio: Bally Sports Detroit; WXYT-FM (97.1).
Probable pitchers: Tigers — RHP Reese Olson (1-7, 3.43 ERA); Nationals — RHP Jake Irvin (4-5, 3.12).
More online: Tuesday's series opener ended after this edition went to print. Visit freep.com/sportsfor the game result.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers call up Ryan Kreidler, but he won't get only shot at SS
