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Detroit Tigers recall Justyn-Henry Malloy from Triple-A Toledo; Jace Jung optioned
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- Detroit Tigers recall Justyn-Henry Malloy from Triple-A Toledo; Jace Jung optioned
CLEVELAND — The Detroit Tigers swapped position players.
The Tigers promoted outfielder/designated hitter Justyn-Henry Malloy from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, Sept. 24, before the second of three games in the American League Central-defining series against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.
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The 25-year-old is a right-handed hitter who thrives against left-handed pitchers.
There are five games remaining in the 2025 season.
"We're facing a team with four lefties in their bullpen," manager A.J. Hinch said before Wednesday's game, "and we've watched them attack our lefties. This gives us another option, either mid- or late-game. It's just roster management."
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The Tigers created a spot on the roster for Malloy by optioning third baseman/second baseman Jace Jung to Triple-A Toledo. The 24-year-old appeared in three of four games during the five-day stint with the Tigers, but he didn't start in any games.
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Malloy hasn't played for the Tigers since Sept. 5.
In 2025, Malloy is hitting .214 with one home run, 20 walks and 31 strikeouts across 49 games for the Tigers. He also hit .322 with nine home runs, 57 walks and 67 strikeouts across 72 games in Triple-A Toledo.
"I always lean on just not doing too much," Malloy said before Wednesday's game. "I want to come up here and just be a small part of what we got going on. I think we have all the right pieces to be able to win games."
Not only do the Guardians have left-hander Parker Messick scheduled to start Wednesday's game, but they also have three left-handed relievers in their bullpen.
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After the Guardians, the Tigers will battle the Boston Red Sox in the final series of the season at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox are lined up to start left-handers Connelly Early and Kyle Harrison on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The Red Sox also have five left-handed relievers in their bullpen, including eight-time All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman .
"It can create a more balanced bench," Hinch said of Malloy joining Jahmai Jones and Andy Ibáñez as right-handed hitters with success against lefties. "When we face the lefty tomorrow, there's likely to be now two right-handed hitters on the bench, which allows for some options later in the game."
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Malloy has played 120 games in his two-year MLB career.
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He is hitting .245 with an .807 OPS in 129 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers, compared to hitting .187 with a .589 OPS in 222 plate appearances against right-handers. He also commands a .395 on-base percentage against lefties, significantly better than a .261 OBP against righties.
Malloy knows his role.
It's quality plate appearances and crushing lefties.
"Preparation is the same," Malloy said. "I got to study film, know your role and just know when I'm maybe going to be plugging and playing. I'm playing my own mini game of manager, just so I'm prepared, and then when it happens, it's not a shock to me"
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Before joining the Tigers, Malloy had to escape mandatory concussion protocol with Triple-A Toledo.
On Sept. 12, Malloy was accidentally punched in the head by Triple-A Louisville catcher Will Banfield — a member of the Cincinnati Reds ' organization — during a throw to second base on a stolen-base attempt.
Malloy didn't return to the Mud Hens until Sept. 20.
"It didn't feel good, but I felt fine that next day," Malloy said. "Obviously, if you get hit in the head again right afterwards, that's going to suck even more. We did what we needed to do to get back on the field. Now we're back, so that's in the past."
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers recall Justyn-Henry Malloy, option Jace Jung
