Colt

Keith

Interesting. The Tigers signed Gleyber Torres on Friday to a one-year deal, and Keith — who has primarily played second base with Detroit — will move a little further to his left and play at the not-as-hot corner instead. The 23-year-old will likely be in a platoon with Spencer Torkelson for the 2025 season, assuming Torkelson isn’t traded, of course. Keith’s fantasy value goes up a tick, as he’ll have eligibility at multiple positions shortly into the campaign.

ESPN"s Jesse Rogers says it’s a one-year, $15 million deal. It’s really rather disappointing to see the Tigers settle for this with Alex Bregman still out there and maybe better options than Torres already on the roster. Colt Keith is a definite keeper, but either he’s moving or Torres, who can’t be viewed as a legitimate shortstop at this point, will have to learn a new position. It looks like Jace Jung or Spencer Torkelson is going to be shut out, and Matt Vierling will spend most of his time in the outfield.

Harris stated that the team still sees a role for Báez in 2025, “particularly if surgery helps him move more like his younger form.” Neither Harris nor manager A.J. Hinch would commit to that role for Báez being a starting role. The Tigers got solid production from rookie Trey Sweeney after Báez went down, so the two would likely battle for the starting shortstop job in spring, but with Colt Keith also locked into the starting second base job, there may not be a starting opportunity for Báez in 2025.

With the Guardians throwing Matthew Boyd, the Tigers will sit most of their left-handed bats, including Carpenter, Colt Keith, and Zach McKinstry. Justyn-Henry Malloy will DH instead of Carpenter and hit lead-off, while Andy Ibanez will start at second base for Keith and bat third, and Wenceel Perez will start in right field and bat fifth.

The Astros put out their lefty-killer lineup Tuesday, but with right-hander Hunter Brown on the bump, Carpenter will hit near the top of the lineup with Justyn-Henry Malloy. Zach McKinstry is in the lineup in place of Wenceel Perez, and Colt Keith takes over second for Andy Ibanez. The full lineup for the Tigers as they look to clinch a spot in the ALDS against the Guardians: Parker Meadows CF, Carpenter DH, Matt Vierling RF, Riley Greene LF, Keith 2B, Spencer Torkelson 1B, McKinstry 3B, Trey Sweeney SS and Jake Rogers behind the plate.

Keith tripled in a run in the sixth, and then tied the game at 3-3 with an RBI single in the eighth. The rookie 23-year-old was dealing with a 1-for-13 funk as of late, but perhaps this will buoy him into a hot run over the weekend in what has been a respectable rookie campaign.

Keith, batting a sore throwing shoulder, was used as a DH on Friday before sitting out against a left-hander on Saturday. This is his first start in the field since Tuesday.

Keith was back in the lineup as the designated hitter on Friday, but the Tigers are holding him out against left-hander starter Cade Povich on Saturday. Presumably, Keith is available off the bench. Andy Ibanez will bat leadoff and play second base for Detroit.

Keith missed Wednesday’s game with right shoulder soreness that, we assume, is still affecting his ability to throw. With Keith DHing, Kerry Carpenter is starting in right field tonight. Zach McKinstry is again filling in at second.

Keith tested the shoulder on the field before the game, but it seemed he wasn’t quite ready for game action. Zach McKinstry is playing second base tonight.