Breaking: Tigers rookie hits IL with oblique strain that ends important development season
Tigers rookies have been a blessing for a team that has little left to fight for this season. With Detroit out of postseason contention, the team has adopted a “nothing to lose” mentality, focusing on giving their young players more playing time to prepare for next year.
Colt Keith, Justyn-Henry Malloy, Wenceel Pérez, and even Parker Meadows, despite being demoted to Triple-A and dealing with an injury, have been carrying much of the load for the Tigers. They’re embodying Scott Harris and management’s philosophy of developing talent rather than relying on outside acquisitions.
Unfortunately, Pérez received some bad news this weekend when he exited Friday’s game against the Giants in the fourth inning due to abdominal tightness. After the game, AJ Hinch expressed significant concern, stating, “He didn’t swing during his last at-bat because he felt it. He came to the dugout and said he needed to come out. … it doesn’t look great.”
As expected, Pérez was placed on the IL with an oblique strain, and Hinch couldn’t confirm whether he would return before the season’s end.
Tigers rookie standout Wenceel Pérez went onto the IL with an oblique strain
The #Tigers have placed Wenceel Pérez on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain. Akil Baddoo recalled from Triple-A Toledo. https://t.co/nqFJhqi3Nr
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) August 10, 2024
Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press identified the moment Pérez sustained his injury: in the top of the fourth inning, he swung at a fastball from Robbie Ray and immediately touched the left side of his torso, signaling the abdominal tightness that led to his removal from the game.
In response, the Tigers recalled Akil Baddoo to handle outfield duties, likely for the remainder of the season. Baddoo is one of three Quadruple-A players the Tigers have relied on this season; Ryan Vilade, who has been with the team since late July, has struggled at the plate, while Ryan Kreidler remains in reserve for potential infield injuries.
Pérez had been in a bit of a slump, batting .185 over his last seven games, but he was also the hero of the Jim Leyland Day walk-off win against the Royals, capping off a comeback victory. With nine homers and 32 RBIs in his 97 major league games this season, it’s a tough blow for Pérez that his season may be ending this way.