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Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wenceel Pérez provides Detroit Tigers something they don't have without him
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Detroit Tigers expected Wenceel Pérez to be their primary center fielder, relying on him for stability while waiting for fellow outfielders Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling to return from their injuries. That was the plan — until the final game of the Grapefruit League schedule in spring training, when Pérez reported a back injury. As his teammates boarded a plane, he had to stay behind at the Tigers' facility in Lakeland, Florida. Advertisement "It was tough because I was trying to get through it," said Pérez, who has dealt with the same lower back injury multiple in his professional career, beginning in 2022. "It was just getting worse and worse and worse." This time, Pérez was sidelined for 65 days. He returned Tuesday, May 27. "I'm so excited to play this game again," Pérez said. SATURDAY'S NOTEBOOK: Tigers' Alex Cobb pitched through 'a lot of discomfort' in first rehab start Detroit Tigers' Wenceel Perez rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in his first at-bat of the season against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Comerica Park on May 27, 2025 in Detroit. In his return game, Pérez — starting in center field and batting sixth — hit a solo home run off All-Star right-hander Logan Webb in the second inning of Tuesday's 3-1 win over the San Francisco Giants at Comerica Park. Advertisement Buy our book: The Epic History of the Tigers More notably, Pérez hit the homer on his first swing of the 2025 season. Webb threw him three sinkers in a row. The first two were inside for balls, but the third one stayed in the strike zone, allowing Pérez — a switch-hitter batting from the left side — to turn on it for a solo home run to right field. It was just the fourth homer allowed by Webb this season, spanning 73⅓ innings in 12 starts. "I was just thinking to be patient," Pérez said. "I was trying to come down a little bit. I was a little bit excited. And then I tried to get a good pitch, and that's what I got. It feels great to be back and help the team out right away." To get to that moment, Pérez had to play six games during a rehab assignment: two games for High-A West Michigan, two games for Low-A Lakeland and two games in Triple-A Toledo. Advertisement He started in West Michigan because the Tigers had the maximum number of players rehabbing in Toledo, transferred to Lakeland due to weather issues in Toledo and completed his rehab with a normal stint in Toledo. "That was not a vacation," Pérez said. Pérez, 25, is hitting .308 (4-for-13) in four games since his return to the Tigers. His switch-hit ability — the Tigers' lone switch-hitter — provides flexibility in the batting order, as well as allowing rest days for left-handed hitters Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter and Zach McKinstry. He performs significantly better as a left-handed hitter against right-handed pitchers, but still provides competitive plate appearances from the right side. Advertisement Pérez took over as the Tigers' primary center fielder upon his return, but only until Meadows returns from the injured list, which seems likely to happen Monday, June 2. "So proud for the kid," manager A.J. Hinch said. "He put in a ton of work. Injuries are hard on everybody, but think about the last game of spring training, and we're getting on the plane to go to the exhibition game, and he's got to report that he's not feeling great. That's a crushing blow anytime during the spring, but that's like the most exciting day of the year at that point." HERE'S AN IDEA: Can Wenceel Pérez become super utility player? Here's what Tigers think Two months later, Pérez rejoined the Tigers with the same joy he has always had. He laughed with teammates in the clubhouse, smiled in pregame warmups, bounced around in the outfield and showed no fear in the batter's box. Advertisement Pérez also made an immediate impact with his first swing. "The team is doing great," Pérez said. "It wasn't good for me (to be on the injured list), but it made me stronger to come back again and play good again." Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at 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 This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Wenceel Pérez provides Detroit Tigers something they don't have
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers' Alex Cobb pitched through 'a lot of discomfort' in first rehab start
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Detroit Tigers right-hander Alex Cobb completed the first start of his rehab assignment Friday, May 30, with High-A West Michigan. The 37-year-old has been sidelined since before spring training due to a right hip injury. It was his first competitive game in 2025. Advertisement He didn't look healthy. "I don't think he's feeling great physically," manager A.J. Hinch said Saturday, May 31, less than 24 hours after Cobb's outing. "I haven't spoken to him directly, but the information coming back is that he's still battling a lot. I applaud him for what he's trying to do because he's pitching through a lot of discomfort." Detroit Tigers right-hander Alex Cobb pitches for High-A West Michigan on a rehab assignment May 30, 2025, in Dayton, Ohio. OLD DOG, NEW TRICKS: After Tarik Skubal's 'Maddux,' MLB legend Greg Maddux shares secret to sustaining success In Friday's game, Cobb tossed two scoreless innings with zero walks and three strikeouts, allowing just one hit. He faced the Dayton Dragons, an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. All three strikeouts ended on swings and misses, but on those pitches, he grimaced as he completed his delivery, then walked slowly off the mound. Advertisement He hung his head a couple of times, looking defeated. But Cobb kept pitching through the pain, throwing 24 pitches. "We're going to have to continue to nudge him forward or continue to give him some rest so that he can continue to pitch," Hinch said. "Moving around has been the problem for him, and we're going to continue to nudge him and see what he can give us." The Tigers are confident in Cobb's individual pitches, but they're not confident in the way his body is moving off the mound. His fastball averaged approximately 92.5 mph in Friday's rehab start, and he also used his splitter and curveball. Advertisement "I think the stuff is good, which is the teaser," Hinch said. "He could take the stuff he was pitching last night in A-ball and apply it in the big leagues, and he's going to get soft contact and miss — like he always has." The Tigers signed Cobb to a one-year, $15 million contract in December 2024. It's unclear if Cobb is scheduled for another rehab start. [ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ] Celebrate 125 seasons of the Tigers with our new book! All smiles for Sawyer Gipson-Long Right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long isn't active — at least not yet — but he showed up to Kauffman Stadium to throw a bullpen session in front of pitching coaches Chris Fetter, Robin Lund and Juan Nieves. The 27-year-old has already completed five starts in his rehab assignment, returning from right elbow and left hip surgery. Advertisement He said he felt good in Saturday's bullpen. The Tigers, though, haven't determined what's next for Gipson-Long. Although he doesn't need to be activated until June 7, the Tigers have an opening for Tuesday's game against the White Sox. Gipson-Long appears ready to start for the Tigers on Tuesday, June 3, against the Chicago White Sox, replacing injured Jackson Jobe in the starting rotation. Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ 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 Advertisement Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Alex Cobb makes rehab start with High-A West Michigan
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Aurora possible Sunday night, but hazy skies may interfere
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — There is a chance the northern lights could make an appearance in West Michigan if the wildfire smoke is able to clear in time. The has issued a G4 geomagnetic storm watch for June 2. This level is considered severe and may bring the northern lights into West Michigan. A G4 geomagnetic storm correlates to the Kp index, or the measurement of geomagnetic activity. Late Sunday evening into the early morning hours of Monday morning, the Kp index is expected to reach a 7. The northern lights may be seen as far south as northern Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. In West Michigan, the best chance for viewing will be in the Upper Peninsula and northern lower Michigan. Forecasting the aurora is quite challenging, largely because it is based on solar activity like solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These forecasts often change frequently and quickly. The Space Weather Prediction Center does provide an update every 30 minutes to reflect these changes. While West Michigan is expected to be free of cloud cover Sunday night, viewing may be limited due to Canadian wildfire smoke. Hazy skies are expected to linger into Sunday afternoon before winds begin to shift into Monday. There is a chance the smoke will clear in time to give way to viewing the northern lights. As of now, the thickest layer of smoke is expected to hold off to the west. If West Michigan is too hazy to view the northern lights Sunday night, there may be another opportunity Monday night. Stay with Storm Team 8 for the latest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Man survives tree crashing into home during storms
DORR TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A homeowner is lucky to be alive after a tree fell through his roof and crashed into his dining room as tornadoes tore through West Michigan Thursday night. Harvey Potter has lived on Swansea Street near Wayland for over 25 years. He and his late wife built the house from scratch. '25 years, you've got things the way you want them, you know?' he told News 8 Sunday. Thousands remain without power after storm, crews work on restoration As five tore through West Michigan Thursday evening, Potter was sitting in his dining room as the storms headed his way. He was following along with storm coverage. His home was at the tail end of a dissipating confirmed EF1 tornado, the , which was carrying dangerous winds. 'The power went off,' he recalled. 'So I run downstairs and within two minutes trees start falling. It was noisy, it was really loud.' As the storm struck, Potter estimates between 20 and 30 trees fell down outside. One of them crashed through his roof and into his dining room, where Potter was sitting just five minutes before. 'Another 50 feet over it would've taken out the whole house really,' he said. Potter considers himself lucky he made it to safety just in time. 'I just think the good Lord was looking out for me,' he said. 'Gave me the sense enough to get down to the basement before the tree fell.' Allegan County community reacts to state of emergency Left behind is a hole in his roof, three destroyed windows and insulation and drywall all over the place. Crews later took a 70-ton crane to pull the tree out of his home. His backyard remains covered in fallen trees. Many of his belongings from the kitchen and dining room are now packed up in boxes. Potter does have insurance. An adjustor is coming out Monday to assess the damage. 'That's one thing about insurance,' he said. 'You pay it every year and you wonder, 'Man, this is a lot.' But what I just had happen to me, you're awful happy you have insurance, you know?' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Kalamazoo County declares state of emergency
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. (WOOD) — After Thursday's storms caused widespread damage across West Michigan, Kalamazoo County declared a state of emergency on Saturday night. The county said the declaration will 'enable the County to mobilize additional resources when needed.' As of around 10 p.m. on Saturday, more than 20,000 people are still without power in Kalamazoo County, according to Consumers Energy's map. 'This has been an incredibly difficult time for our residents,' said Jen Strebs, chair of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners, in a statement. 'Just over a year ago, we were dealing with the aftermath of the May 7, 2024, tornado, and now another storm has caused widespread damage. Our team is working alongside our partners to ensure that help is available where it's needed most. We will continue doing everything we can to support our residents as they recover.' Kalamazoo County said the American Red Cross will distribute 50 cases of water and clean-up kits on Sunday, starting at 11 a.m. at the Kalamazoo Community Church, located at 2435 N 26th St., just north of Comstock High School. Kalamazoo County is the second West Michigan county to declare a state of emergency on Saturday. Earlier, Allegan County declared a state of emergency shortly before the National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes in the county from Thursday's storms. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
