Meadows appears to avoid major damage, but no timetable yet

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The good news for the Tigers is that center fielder Parker Meadows hasn’t been diagnosed with major damage after reporting a tweak in his right biceps on a turn and throw from the outfield in Saturday’s Spring Training opener against the Phillies. However, Meadows remains without a timetable for a return for now.

Meadows is receiving daily treatment and will be re-evaluated later this week for a potential return to baseball activities, according to Tuesday’s Tigers injury report.

For now, the Tigers aren’t overly concerned to the point of making contingency plans. Matt Vierling started in center field in Sunday’s win over the Yankees, and Ben Malgeri jumped over from Minor League camp to start in center in Tuesday's 8-7 loss to the Orioles. Wenceel Pérez is expected to start in center Wednesday against the Twins at Joker Marchant Stadium. Utility infielders Ryan Kreidler and Andrew Navigato could also see time in center this week, according to manager A.J. Hinch.

One player who won’t see center this week is Riley Greene, who made his first appearance of the spring in left field Tuesday after his originally scheduled debut Monday was rained out. The Tigers plan on keeping Greene in left field for now this spring as part of their ramp-up plan for the All-Star.

“We’re not going to disrupt any of his prep that we’ve laid out for him for the first 10 days,” Hinch said. “He’s going to be in left field, maybe right field, but more on the corners. Never say never; as you know, I’ll do anything. But this time off for Parker doesn’t impact Riley.”

Big Ben strikes again

Monday’s rainout left plenty of Tigers looking to get at-bats, creating a lineup of regulars for Tuesday’s trip to face the Orioles. The first eight batters in Detroit’s starting lineup all finished last season with the club and played in the postseason. The lone exception might just be the hottest hitter in the Grapefruit League, even though he’s not even in big league camp.

Malgeri spent last season at Double-A Erie, helping the SeaWolves win their second consecutive Eastern League title. The 2021 18th-round Draft pick out of Northeastern University left his New Hampshire home for the winter to work out in Tampa to be ready for Minor League camp. He got the call as an extra player in last Saturday’s Grapefruit League opener and went 3-for-3 with four RBIs against the Phillies.

Malgeri knew he’d be on the trip with the big club Tuesday. He found out in the morning he’d be starting in center. He picked up where he left off, crushing a fastball from Orioles pitcher Dean Kremer for a two-run homer in the second inning before adding a two-out RBI single off former Tiger Gregory Soto in the fifth.

“I’m really just grateful to be here, trying to go out there and show what I can do and play the game,” said Malgeri, who’s batting 5-for-6 with seven RBIs this spring.

As excited as Jackson Jobe was for his first start, he was happier for Malgeri, his teammate at Erie from last season.

“‘Geri’s a beast,” Jobe said. “He’s electric. He’s fun to watch, and he’s a great dude, so I’m really happy for the success he’s having.”

Pitching plans

With a crowded rotation competition, the Tigers are pairing up candidates in some games to keep pitchers on a five-day schedule. Kenta Maeda, who started the Tigers’ Spring Training opener last Saturday, will pitch in relief in Thursday’s split-squad game against the Red Sox following Jack Flaherty’s first start of the spring. Matt Manning, who pitched in relief following Maeda last Saturday, will start Thursday’s other split-squad game against the Rays in Port Charlotte.

Keider Montero, who had been scheduled to start Monday, instead pitched in relief Tuesday. He’ll get back on turn next weekend following Reese Olson’s start Friday against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.

Happy retirement, Russ

For people who spend years in baseball before retiring or stepping away, the first Spring Training away can be an adjustment. The Tigers sent a special retirement gift to Mike Russell, who spent 38 years in the game and several with the Tigers as a pro scout and special assistant before retiring at the end of last season.

The team framed a jersey with Russell’s name and the number 38 on the back. Then they had Hall of Famers and longtime Tigers colleagues Alan Trammell and Jim Leyland sign it, along with Miguel Cabrera, who signed as an amateur out of Venezuela with the Marlins while Russell was in the scouting department there and was traded to the Tigers with Russell’s input.

The Tigers didn’t make a big deal out of the gift, but Russell relayed the gesture with his gratitude, thanking Tigers chairman and CEO Chris Ilitch and president of baseball operations Scott Harris.

“Chris and his dad never forgot about me before and most definitely after the Miggy deal,” Russell said in a text message. “This is not about me but about a family who treats people with dignity.”