The Tigers introduced that they’ve acquired outfielder Brewer Hicklen from the Brewers in alternate for money concerns. He was designated for project by Milwaukee yesterday as that membership set its Opening Day roster. The Tigers have optioned him to Triple-A Toledo and transferred right-hander Ty Madden to the 60-day injured checklist to open a 40-man spot.
Hicklen, 29, has a tiny main league monitor file. The Brewers despatched him to the plate 5 instances final 12 months and he additionally obtained 4 plate appearances with the 2022 Royals. He struck out in eight of these 9 appearances with no hit.
The Tigers are absolutely extra all for his minor league work, which is bigger in high quality and amount. He has a mixed .244/.352/.469 batting line over the previous 4 minor league seasons. That manufacturing results in a 114 wRC+, indicating he’s been about 14% above league common. His 30.7% strikeout charge in that point is sort of excessive however he additionally drew walks at a powerful 11.7% clip and stole 140 bases.
The Detroit outfield has taken quite a few hits in current weeks, notably in heart area. Every of Parker Meadows, Wenceel Pérez and Matt Vierling began the season on the injured checklist on account of numerous illnesses suffered in the course of the spring.
That left Riley Greene because the final man standing from what their projected outfield would have been just a few months in the past. Kerry Carpenter was as soon as projected because the common designated hitter however may maybe transfer to the grass. That may open the DH spot for Spencer Torkelson, who was pushed off first base when the membership signed Gleyber Torres to play second and moved Colt Keith to first. To bolster the group round Greene and Carpenter, the Tigers signed Manuel Margot, who had been launched by the Brewers. In addition they recalled utility participant Ryan Kreidler.
Hicklen will give the membership a little bit of optionable outfield depth, alongside Justyn-Henry Malloy. Given his velocity, maybe Hicklen may carve out a job as a fourth outfielder who will get thrown in for pinch-running and defensive alternative alternatives. Till then, he’ll presumably get common reps within the minors.
As for Madden, he was identified with a rotator cuff pressure in his throwing shoulder three weeks in the past. His present timeline is unclear however this switch means he can’t be reinstated till late Might on the earliest.
Picture courtesy of Rick Scuteri, USA TODAY Sports activities
