Riley Greene Returns as Detroit Tigers Seek Wild-Card Push

The Detroit Tigers, sitting 5.5 games behind a postseason berth after a recent series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, are counting on outfielder Riley Greene to return from the injured list before the second game of their three-game matchup with the Minnesota Twins. The series is described as a “must-win” for Detroit, which has dropped eight of its last ten games and must capture a victory to keep its slim postseason hopes alive.

Newsweek

Greene, a three-time All-Star and last-year Silver Slugger outfielder, has been one of Detroit’s most productive hitters this year. Through 117 games he has recorded 16 home runs, 54 RBIs and a .816 OPS—the highest mark among regular players on the roster. His brief rehab stint with Triple-A Toledo consisted of two appearances, yielding one hit and two walks in eight plate appearances.

Newsweek

FanGraphs estimates the Tigers’ chance of playing baseball in October at roughly 1.0 %. The club still faces four divisional matchups that could determine its fate: two series against the Twins, who lead the Wild Card by 1.5 games; a series versus the Cleveland Guardians, who currently occupy the final postseason spot; and series against the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox. Winning those series would give Detroit a realistic, though still challenging, path to the postseason.

Newsweek

MLB rosters expand to 28 players beginning the upcoming Tuesday, allowing the Tigers to add Greene without needing to cut another player. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who also benefit from the roster expansion, are not expected to make additional moves upon Greene’s return.

Newsweek

Detroit’s postseason window hinges on Greene’s health and performance in the critical Twins series, as well as the team’s ability to win the remaining divisional games. While the statistical odds remain low, the reintegration of a top-producing outfielder provides the Tigers with a tangible boost as the season draws to a close.

Newsweek