Detroit Tigers Issue Positive Update After Young OF's Troubling Injury Report
The Detroit Tigers have ridden the full wave of emotions this week when it comes to the injury report on young outfielder Riley Greene.
The 22-year-old outfielder, who is a foundational piece of the Tigers' rebuild, underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday.
That news is certainly gutting as Greene is one of the top young players in baseball, but it was countered by the positive report that Greene should be ready for Opening Day in 2024.
Per Cody Stavenhagen of 'The Athletic.'
The positive? Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters in Los Angeles the team expects Greene to be ready for next season. And that would not be unprecedented. The surgery, performed by Dr. Keith Meister, is on Greene’s non-throwing arm, so he will not have to go through a rigorous throwing program. He will, however, join a growing list of major-league hitters who have had a procedure more commonly associated with pitchers.
The non-throwing arm is key here for Greene. It's possible that the Tigers could build him up slowly for spring training, but if he's ready for Opening Day, that's the ultimate goal for a Tigers team that is looking to grow into American League Central contenders.
Greene is a former first-round pick who hit .288 this season with 11 homers and 37 RBI. He ends the campaign having stolen seven bases and registering 378 at-bats on the year, about two-thirds of what you'd want him to get in a season.
The Tigers are 71-81 on the year and will take on the Oakland Athletics on Thursday night.
First pitch is 9:40 p.m. ET.
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