Colt

Keith

McGonigle’s ability to generate consistent hard contact in tandem with elite contact skills at such a young age makes it strangely difficult to imagine a future where he isn’t an impactful fantasy contributor. That future might become reality in a few weeks on Opening Day. The 21-year-old prodigy’s path to a spot on Detroit’s season-opening roster got easier with Trey Sweeney sidelined with a shoulder injury and leaves super utility specialist Zach McKinstry as the lone obstacle in his way. A strong performance in Grapefruit League exhibition contests would make it extremely challenging for the Tigers to ship him back to the minors. He’ll be a popular sleeper candidate in all fantasy drafts this spring, especially if he starts making some noise at the dish. Here is the full lineup: Jahmai Jones (RF), McGonigle (SS), Gleyber Torres (2B), Colt Keith (3B), Jake Rogers (DH), Jace Jung (1B), Trei Cruz (CF), Eduardo Valencia (C) and Corey Julks (LF).

Keith should be a lock to start at either third base or DH against right-handers, but starts against lefties will likely remain few and far between, limiting his fantasy potential. Keith got just 46 plate appearances versus southpaws last season, and the Tigers will likely go with an entirely right-handed bench, creating plenty of platoon opportunites.

Even though Detroit has hit .165/.246/.233 with 35 strikeouts through three games, there are no changes today. Colt Keith is again batting third and DHing, and Kerry Carpenter, who committed an error on a flyball last night, is in right field and leading off. Wenceel Pérez, who started the final 14 games of the regular season and then all three against the Guardians in the Wild Card series, remains on the bench.

After stunning the Mariners in Game 1 in Seattle on Saturday night, Tigers’ skipper A.J. Hinch didn’t feel the need to make any changes to his lineup behind Tarik Skubal in Game 2. Keith has been utilized as the designated hitter in each of the first two games instead of playing in the infield as they’re trying to be cautious with him while returning from the rib injury. Once again, here’s how they’ll lineup against Mariners’ right-hander Luis Castillo on Sunday: Gleyber Torres (2B), Kerry Carpenter (RF), Riley Greene (LF), Spencer Torkelson (1B), Colt Keith (DH), Dillon Dingler (C), Zach McKinstry (3B), Javier Baez (SS) and Parker Meadows (CF).

Keith had been shelved since mid-September due to right rib cage inflammation. His return bumps Wenceel Perez from the Tigers’ starting lineup. Here’s the full look at how the Tigers will line up against Mariners’ right-hander George Kirby on Saturday night in Seattle: Gleyber Torres (2B), Kerry Carpenter (RF), Riley Greene (LF), Spencer Torkelson (1B), Colt Keith (DH), Dillon Dingler (C), Zach McKinstry (3B), Javier Baez (SS) and Parker Meadows (CF).

Keith has been added to Detroit’s roster after missing the club’s Wild Card Series against Cleveland with right rib cage inflammation. The 24-year-old figures to get plenty of opportunities to face Seattle’s righty-heavy rotation. Reliever Brenan Hanifee is the only other new addition with Justyn-Henry Malloy and Paul Sewald being excluded.

How he comes out of that session will likely determine whether or not he’s ready to be included on the Tigers’ roster for their Division Series against the Mariners. Matt Vierling (oblique) will also take batting practice on Friday to see where he’s at. It sounds like the Tigers could soon be getting some reinforcements back to their offense if everything goes well on Friday.

Keith was placed on the injured list with rib cage inflammation on September 19. He is hoping to play in the AL DS, but the Tigers would need to get there first and he will need to clear his final hurdles for recovery.

The Tigers had thought it was a back injury that Keith was dealing with but an MRI exam revealed the rib inflammation. No word yet on how long he’ll be shelved for or if the injury will impact his availability for the postseason. Jace Jung was recalled from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move on Friday.

Keith was diagnosed with back tightness and recently underwent an MRI. He’ll likely miss all of Friday’s game with Zach McKinstry handling third base and hitting eighth.