The Tigers announced that they’ve acquired outfielder Brewer Hicklen from the Brewers in change for money issues. He was designated for project by Milwaukee on Thursday day 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 record to open a 40-man spot.
Hicklen, 29, has a tiny main league observe file. The Brewers despatched him to the plate 5 instances final 12 months, and he additionally bought 4 plate appearances with the 2022 Royals. He struck out in eight of these 9 appearances with out a hit.
The Tigers are certainly extra inquisitive about his minor league work, which is larger 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 fee in that point is kind of excessive however he additionally drew walks at a powerful 11.7% clip and stole 140 bases.
The Detroit outfield has taken a lot of hits in latest weeks, significantly in middle area. Every of Parker Meadows, Wenceel Pérez and Matt Vierling began the season on the injured record because 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 might maybe transfer to the grass. That might 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 might carve out a job as a fourth outfielder who will get thrown in for pinch-running and defensive substitute alternatives. Till then, he’ll presumably get common reps within the minors.
As for Madden, he was recognized 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 Could on the earliest.
