Gleyber Torres' Oblique Injury Prolongs Absence, Sparks Frustration for Tigers The Detroit Tigers continue to grapple with the prolonged absence of second baseman Gleyber Torres, whose left oblique strain has extended beyond initial expectations, leaving the team in a difficult position. Torres, 29, has not played since May 2, and remains on the 10-day injured list as he navigates a slow recovery. The injury has disrupted his swing mechanics, forcing the Tigers to wait for his return while struggling to maintain offensive momentum. Torres, who has been sidelined for over a month, recently described his frustration with the situation. During a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles on May 24, he admitted that his inability to swing comfortably has been a major setback. "The last time I tried to swing, I didn't feel comfortable," he said. "We just want to get a few days off before getting back to swinging." His comments reflect the growing impatience within the team, as the Tigers have endured a brutal 17-game stretch marked by 15 losses since his injury. Before the injury, Torres was a key contributor to the Tigers' lineup, posting a .259 batting average with two home runs, 25 walks, and 22 strikeouts across 32 games. His on-base percentage of .389 ranked third on the team, and his overall .716 OPS highlighted his value as an offensive threat. Over the 2025-26 season, Torres has maintained a .364 on-base percentage, placing him 16th in Major League Baseball. His presence at the plate has been a critical factor in the Tigers' run-scoring efforts, and his absence has left a noticeable gap. Manager A.J. Hinch acknowledged the impact of Torres' absence, calling it a "culprit" in the team's struggles. "Everything changes when you lose someone of Gleyber's presence," Hinch said.#detroit_tigers #los_angeles_angels #comerica_park #gleyber_torres #a_j_hinch
Tigers, Gleyber Torres both feeling pain of his prolonged absence The Detroit Tigers' recent 2-15 skid into the doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles has been attributed not only to Tarik Skubal’s injury but also to the absence of second baseman Gleyber Torres, who has been sidelined since May 4. Manager AJ Hinch emphasized that Torres’ absence has disrupted the team’s offensive rhythm, particularly due to his consistent on-base skills and ability to extend at-bats. Without him, the Tigers have averaged 2.4 runs per game, hit below .200, and ranked last in the league in home runs during this stretch. Torres, who was placed on the injured list with a left oblique strain, has not played since May 2. His absence has led to a significant drop in offensive production, with the team recording seven or fewer hits in nine games before Sunday’s matchup. This marks only the second time in franchise history that the Tigers have endured such a prolonged hitting slump, with the previous instance occurring during their 1968 championship season. Since May 4, the Tigers have managed just 15 hits in 115 at-bats with runners in scoring position, including eight games where they failed to record a hit in critical situations. Hinch highlighted how Torres’ presence has been a stabilizing force in the lineup. “If you just take one skill of the many that he has, the on-base, the consistent at-bat, the longer at-bat — there’s always a hit in there. Even on his bad days, he’s going to find a way to get on base or get a hit. That’s a very stable thing to have at the top of our order,” Hinch said. The loss of Torres has forced adjustments in the batting order, moving Dillon Dingler up toward the top of the lineup and elevating Colt Keith to the No. 6 spot.#detroit_tigers #baltimore_orioles #gleyber_torres #lakeland #aj_hinch
Gleyber Torres Returns to Tigers, Faces Extended Rehab Delays Gleyber Torres has officially rejoined the Detroit Tigers in Baltimore, but his path to full recovery and return to the lineup has been extended beyond initial expectations. The three-time All-Star, who has been sidelined since May 4 due to a left oblique strain, returned to the team’s clubhouse this weekend, though his rehabilitation process has slowed, delaying his potential return to action. Torres revealed during a Sunday press conference that his recent time at the team’s complex in Lakeland, Florida, had been a mix of progress and frustration. While he noted that the initial phase of his rehab had gone well—describing the early days of swing work as “feeling good”—he admitted that attempts to increase his hitting intensity had led to discomfort. “We hit a couple days, feels good, but when we try to hit a little bit more, don’t feel any good,” Torres said. He emphasized that while his defensive skills and physical conditioning had improved, his inability to swing effectively remained a significant hurdle. Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed that Torres had not yet regained the ability to take full swings during rehab. The decision to grant him a four-day break from swing work was intended to allow additional healing, with hopes that he could resume batting practice by Tuesday when the Tigers return home. Hinch acknowledged the challenge of balancing Torres’ recovery with the team’s immediate needs, stating, “The hope is the break will allow additional healing that could see him get back into the batting cage.” Torres’ absence has had a measurable impact on the Tigers’ performance. Since his injury, Detroit has posted an MLB-worst .#detroit_tigers #baltimore_orioles #gleyber_torres #a_j_hinch #toledo_mud_hens
Jordan Walker’s 100.6 mph throw to record an out at home plate against the Tigers highlights his rapid development as a defensive asset for the Cardinals Jordan Walker’s standout performance in the third inning of a scoreless game against the Tigers showcased his growing prowess as a right fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. The 23-year-old’s laser-like throw to nail Detroit’s Javier Báez at home plate, clocked at 100.6 mph, marked the fastest recorded assist by a Cardinal in the Statcast era and the hardest-tracked throw for an assist in MLB this season. The play occurred after Tigers shortstop Gleyber Torres hit a hard line drive to the right-field grass, with Báez breaking for home with two outs. Walker fielded the ball off the hop and fired a 244-foot throw to Iván Herrera at the plate, securing the out. Manager Oliver Marmol praised the play, calling it a “refreshing shift in demeanor” for Walker, who had faced growing pains in his early MLB career. Walker’s defensive transformation has been a key focus for the Cardinals, particularly after his struggles in 2024. Transitioning from third base to the outfield late in the 2022 season at Double-A, Walker spent limited time in the minors before being tested daily at the Major League level. His rookie season defensively was marked by a -13 OAA (outfield assists minus errors), ranking third worst among MLB outfielders. However, a renewed confidence in his abilities has driven his improvement. “Honestly, I just trust myself a little bit more,” Walker told reporters last season, crediting outfield coach Jon Jay for emphasizing the importance of trusting his first step. This mindset shift has allowed him to adjust quickly to difficult plays, such as a line drive from Zack McKinstry in the sixth inning that knuckled on him.#st_louis_cardinals #jordan_walker #javier_baez #gleyber_torres #oliver_marmol
