Which AL Central team should worry Detroit Tigers?
The Days of Roar podcast breaks down the competitiveness of the American League Central — and which team the Detroit Tigers should keep an eye on.
CHICAGO — Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows is healthy and ready to play his first game of the 2025 season after missing the first 60 games.
The 25-year-old has been injured since Feb. 22 in spring training, diagnosed with a musculocutaneous nerve injury in his upper right arm. It was a 100-day absence.
“It’s a humbling experience,” Meadows said. “I’m super blessed to be able to be back up here with the boys.”
The Tigers activated Meadows from the 60-day injured list Monday, June 2, for the opener of a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field. He traveled to Chicago on Sunday, June 1, in preparation for Monday’s game. To bring back Meadows, the Tigers optioned outfielder/designated hitter Justyn-Henry Malloy to Triple-A Toledo.
Additionally, right-handed reliever Ryan Cusick — whom the Tigers claimed off waivers from the Athletics recently — was designated for assignment to create room for Meadows on the 40-man roster.
Meadows completed eight games on a rehab assignment, logging 37 innings in center field and 33 plate appearances. He hit .259 with one home run, six walks and eight strikeouts, including a 1.004 OPS in six games at Triple-A Toledo.
Returning to the Tigers, Meadows — a left-handed hitter — immediately takes over as the everyday center fielder and leadoff hitter against right-handed pitchers.
He occupied both spots in Monday’s game.
“He’s a glue guy, and the guys love him,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He played at an incredibly high level for us on both sides of the ball. We have missed him. Our guys have done a really good job of picking up the pieces and being able to adjust to life without him.”
Without Meadows, the Tigers used seven players in center field: Javier Báez, Riley Greene, Ryan Kreidler, Wenceel Pérez, Matt Vierling, Brewer Hicklen and Akil Baddoo.
The offensive production?
They ranked 10th in MLB with a .743 OPS.
The defensive production?
They ranked tied for 18th in MLB with minus-2 defensive runs saved.
“But we’re better with him − whether it’s the top of the order, another potent left-handed bat, his speed, his defense, his presence, the vibe around him,” Hinch said. “It’s a big attention, and it makes us a better team. It will make for some fun lineup constructions and a stronger bench.”
In 2024, Meadows hit .244 with nine home runs, 25 walks and 76 strikeouts over 82 games. He was worth plus-5 defensive runs saved across 660 innings in center field. He also hit .299 with an .857 OPS in his final 50 games after returning from Triple-A Toledo with a swing change.
The Tigers had a 49-26 record when Meadows started last season, including a 33-11 record when he recorded a hit.
“He means a lot,” Pérez said. “He’s a great player.”
In 2025, the best team in baseball just got better. That’s the type of impact Meadows brings to the Tigers.
As for Malloy, he has helped the Tigers win multiple games this season, including a walk-off, pinch-hit single in a 6-5 win over the Boston Red Sox on May 14 and another clutch single in a 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on May 28.
Expect Malloy to return in the future.
“The message is really about continuing to find ways to contribute,” Hinch said of Malloy’s demotion. “The defensive side has gotten better. He still has room for improvement. The at-bat quality is there, but he has the toughest job in baseball, which is random at-bats at the most important time, most of the time against left-handed pitchers.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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