Big news coming out of the Tigers' camp this Tuesday, and it's a mix of good returns, tough breaks, and a shocking shakeup in the organization. Let's break it all down.
First up, the good news: infielder Zach McKinstry is back. Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed on MLB Radio that McKinstry will rejoin the lineup tonight against the Boston Red Sox after a stint on the injured list. McKinstry was sidelined following a rough series against the Kansas City Royals in mid-April, where he took two hard collisions. The last one came while trying to field a ground ball, leading to hip and abdominal inflammation. It's a solid boost for a Tigers squad that's been juggling some infield depth issues.
Speaking of those depth concerns, Gleyber Torres remains day-to-day with tightness on the left side of his torso—likely a mild oblique strain. Hinch noted that Torres is still expected to avoid an IL stint, but he's not quite ready to play yet. He hasn't taken the field since Saturday, so the Tigers are playing it safe.
With Javier Báez also on the injured list nursing an ankle injury, the Tigers moved quickly to add some veteran insurance. They signed infielder Paul DeJong to a minor league deal on Tuesday. DeJong spent 2025 with the Washington Nationals, logging time mostly at third base but also seeing action at shortstop. He posted a .228/.269/.373 line with six homers and four stolen bases over 208 plate appearances. He'll report to Triple-A Toledo to get up to speed.
And now for the biggest stunner of the day: Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens manager Gabe Alvarez has been fired. Alvarez was a rising star in the Tigers' farm system, having led the Double-A Erie SeaWolves to back-to-back Eastern League Championships in 2023 and 2024. He was widely seen as a future big-league manager or front-office asset. The Tigers announced his contract was terminated for a violation of club policy, but no further details were provided. Hitting coach Mike Hessman has stepped in as interim manager. It's a tough loss for the organization, especially given Alvarez's role in developing several top prospects on their way to the majors.
Stay tuned—this is a developing story, and we'll keep you updated on all the moves as the Tigers navigate a busy stretch.