In a whirlwind of roster moves, infielder Zack Short is back with the Detroit Tigers—just days after being designated for assignment. The Tigers originally acquired Short from the Washington Nationals, adding him to the active roster for a brief two-day stint before he cleared waivers and elected free agency. But in a surprising turn, he has now signed a one-year contract and rejoined the team.

Short was immediately inserted into the starting lineup on Friday, May 8, for the series opener against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. This time, he replaces third baseman Jace Jung, who has been optioned to the minors after struggling to find his footing at the plate.

Jung, 25, appeared in eight games and posted a modest .167 batting average (1-for-6) with two walks and one strikeout across eight plate appearances. While he showed discipline in his swing decisions and consistently put the ball in play, the Tigers limited him to a designated hitter role, keeping him off the field defensively. With a need for more production, the team opted to bring back Short, a versatile infielder who can play shortstop, second, and third base.

Short's offensive numbers have been a concern throughout his six-year MLB career—he holds a .171 batting average with an 11.7% walk rate, 29% strikeout rate, and a .564 OPS over 243 games. However, the Tigers' hand was forced after second baseman Gleyber Torres landed on the injured list with a left oblique strain, reversing their earlier decision to keep Short off the roster.

For Tigers fans, this move underscores the team's ongoing search for reliable infield depth. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Short to see if he can provide the spark the team needs.