Detroit Tigers OF/3B Matt Vierling returns from injured list; Sean Guenther optioned
At last, Matt Vierling has arrived.
The Detroit Tigers activated Vierling — an outfielder/third baseman on the field and a team leader behind the scenes — from the injured list ahead of their Friday, May 23, game against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park. He wasn't in the starting lineup, but he's available as a pinch-hitter off the bench.
Advertisement
The 28-year-old had been sidelined since Feb. 23 — the second game of spring training — with a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder. In total, Vierling missed 51 games this season.
But now, he's finally back.
EVAN PETZOLD: Meet Jed Oliver, the Tigers fan from London traveling 3,500 miles to Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers' Matt Vierling waves at players from Chicago White Sox ahead of during home opening day against Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, April 4, 2025.
Buy our book: The Epic History of the Tigers
To create room for Vierling, the Tigers optioned left-handed reliever Sean Guenther to Triple-A Toledo. On May 24, the Tigers are expected to activate right-hander Casey Mize to start, which will lead to the demotion of a position player.
Advertisement
Vierling has been a mainstay for the Tigers the past two seasons.
He had the best results of his four-year MLB career in the 2024 campaign, hitting .257 with 16 home runs, 41 walks and 121 strikeouts in 144 games. He plays all three outfield positions and third base, but he performs best in center field and right field.
SHAWN WINDSOR: Playoff heartbreak? That's past for Tigers, ready for new memories vs Cleveland
Returning to the Tigers, Vierling projects to play right field and third base, with ex-infielder Javier Báez expected to continue roaming center field until Parker Meadows is activated from the injured list within the next three weeks.
Advertisement
Meadows — who has been sidelined since Feb. 22 with a right upper arm nerve issue — started his rehab assignment May 20, which began his 20-day rehab clock.
He must be activated by June 9.
[ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ]
As for Vierling, he played 11 games on his rehab assignment. He hit .206 with two home runs, nine walks and 14 strikeouts in43 plate appearances. He spent five games at designated hitter, three games at third base for 21 innings, two games in right for 13 innings and one game in center for nine innings.
Advertisement
The Tigers took their time with Vierling's rehab assignment to ensure the rotator cuff strain in his right shoulder wouldn't resurface with throws from different angles.
It took 19 days, but Vierling eventually checked all the boxes.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.
Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at Tigers125.PictorialBook.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Matt Vierling returns to Detroit Tigers from shoulder injury
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
White Sox look to stop losing streak in matchup with the Tigers
Detroit Tigers (39-21, first in the AL Central) vs. Chicago White Sox (18-41, fifth in the AL Central) Chicago; Monday, 7:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Tigers: Jack Flaherty (3-6, 3.94 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 72 strikeouts); White Sox: Jonathan Cannon (2-6, 4.15 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 46 strikeouts) Advertisement BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Tigers -211, White Sox +175; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago White Sox head into a matchup against the Detroit Tigers after losing three in a row. Chicago has gone 12-15 in home games and 18-41 overall. The White Sox have a 3-15 record in games decided by one run. Detroit is 39-21 overall and 18-13 in road games. The Tigers have the third-ranked team ERA in the AL at 3.17. Monday's game is the fourth time these teams square off this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Lenyn Sosa leads the White Sox with a .279 batting average, and has 10 doubles, four home runs, five walks and 17 RBIs. Mike Tauchman is 12 for 33 with two home runs and six RBIs over the past 10 games. Advertisement Spencer Torkelson leads the Tigers with 14 home runs while slugging .510. Dillon Dingler is 14 for 35 with two doubles, a home run and six RBIs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: White Sox: 3-7, .243 batting average, 3.81 ERA, outscored opponents by four runs Tigers: 6-4, .196 batting average, 2.40 ERA, outscored opponents by one run INJURIES: White Sox: Miguel Castro: 15-Day IL (knee), Tyler Gilbert: 15-Day IL (knee), Fraser Ellard: 15-Day IL (lat), Martin Perez: 60-Day IL (forearm), Drew Thorpe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Prelander Berroa: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ky Bush: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jesse Scholtens: 60-Day IL (elbow) Advertisement Tigers: Alex Cobb: 60-Day IL (hip), Jackson Jobe: 15-Day IL (flexor), Matt Vierling: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Reese Olson: 15-Day IL (finger), Parker Meadows: 60-Day IL (arm), Ty Madden: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (elbow), Sawyer Gipson-Long: 60-Day IL (hip), Alex Lange: 60-Day IL (lat) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
White Sox look to stop losing streak in matchup with the Tigers
Associated Press Detroit Tigers (39-21, first in the AL Central) vs. Chicago White Sox (18-41, fifth in the AL Central) Chicago; Monday, 7:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Tigers: Jack Flaherty (3-6, 3.94 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 72 strikeouts); White Sox: Jonathan Cannon (2-6, 4.15 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 46 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Tigers -211, White Sox +175; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago White Sox head into a matchup against the Detroit Tigers after losing three in a row. Chicago has gone 12-15 in home games and 18-41 overall. The White Sox have a 3-15 record in games decided by one run. Detroit is 39-21 overall and 18-13 in road games. The Tigers have the third-ranked team ERA in the AL at 3.17. Monday's game is the fourth time these teams square off this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Lenyn Sosa leads the White Sox with a .279 batting average, and has 10 doubles, four home runs, five walks and 17 RBIs. Mike Tauchman is 12 for 33 with two home runs and six RBIs over the past 10 games. Spencer Torkelson leads the Tigers with 14 home runs while slugging .510. Dillon Dingler is 14 for 35 with two doubles, a home run and six RBIs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: White Sox: 3-7, .243 batting average, 3.81 ERA, outscored opponents by four runs Tigers: 6-4, .196 batting average, 2.40 ERA, outscored opponents by one run INJURIES: White Sox: Miguel Castro: 15-Day IL (knee), Tyler Gilbert: 15-Day IL (knee), Fraser Ellard: 15-Day IL (lat), Martin Perez: 60-Day IL (forearm), Drew Thorpe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Prelander Berroa: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ky Bush: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jesse Scholtens: 60-Day IL (elbow) Tigers: Alex Cobb: 60-Day IL (hip), Jackson Jobe: 15-Day IL (flexor), Matt Vierling: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Reese Olson: 15-Day IL (finger), Parker Meadows: 60-Day IL (arm), Ty Madden: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (elbow), Sawyer Gipson-Long: 60-Day IL (hip), Alex Lange: 60-Day IL (lat) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. recommended
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
White Sox look to stop losing streak in matchup with the Tigers
Detroit Tigers (39-21, first in the AL Central) vs. Chicago White Sox (18-41, fifth in the AL Central) Chicago; Monday, 7:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Tigers: Jack Flaherty (3-6, 3.94 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 72 strikeouts); White Sox: Jonathan Cannon (2-6, 4.15 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 46 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Tigers -211, White Sox +175; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago White Sox head into a matchup against the Detroit Tigers after losing three in a row. Chicago has gone 12-15 in home games and 18-41 overall. The White Sox have a 3-15 record in games decided by one run. Detroit is 39-21 overall and 18-13 in road games. The Tigers have the third-ranked team ERA in the AL at 3.17. Monday's game is the fourth time these teams square off this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Lenyn Sosa leads the White Sox with a .279 batting average, and has 10 doubles, four home runs, five walks and 17 RBIs. Mike Tauchman is 12 for 33 with two home runs and six RBIs over the past 10 games. Spencer Torkelson leads the Tigers with 14 home runs while slugging .510. Dillon Dingler is 14 for 35 with two doubles, a home run and six RBIs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: White Sox: 3-7, .243 batting average, 3.81 ERA, outscored opponents by four runs Tigers: 6-4, .196 batting average, 2.40 ERA, outscored opponents by one run INJURIES: White Sox: Miguel Castro: 15-Day IL (knee), Tyler Gilbert: 15-Day IL (knee), Fraser Ellard: 15-Day IL (lat), Martin Perez: 60-Day IL (forearm), Drew Thorpe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Prelander Berroa: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ky Bush: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jesse Scholtens: 60-Day IL (elbow) Tigers: Alex Cobb: 60-Day IL (hip), Jackson Jobe: 15-Day IL (flexor), Matt Vierling: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Reese Olson: 15-Day IL (finger), Parker Meadows: 60-Day IL (arm), Ty Madden: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (elbow), Sawyer Gipson-Long: 60-Day IL (hip), Alex Lange: 60-Day IL (lat) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
