Detroit Tigers Injury Update: Matt Vierling, Gleyber Torres, Parker Meadows

The Detroit Tigers' roster has been ravaged by injuries since before the 2025 season officially started, but there is reason for optimism that one of their hobbled stars could soon make his way back from the injured list.

According to the Tigers' latest injury report, as relayed by Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, utility man Matt Vierling has taken what appears to be a positive step forward in his recovery from a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder. In addition to rehabbing and completing daily conditioning and defensive drills, Vierling has also begun hitting in a cage.

Vierling still isn't throwing, so his return isn't necessarily imminent; but the fact that he is swinging a bat is a good sign that he is progressing well in his recovery.

Detroit Tigers Injury Update: Matt Vierling, Gleyber Torres, Parker Meadows

Vierling, who can play all over the diamond, was expected to play a critical role at third base for the Tigers this season after top-10 prospect Jace Jung struggled during spring training and failed to break camp with the team. He is also an option to replace injured center fielder Parker Meadows, not to mention a significant upgrade at the plate over current center fielder Ryan Kreidler.

The Tigers' medical report didn't offer any significant updates on Meadows, other than to say that he is continuing daily conditioning, defensive drills and rehab activities. Meadows, who opened the season on the 60-day IL, won't be eligible to join the Tigers until May at the earliest.

Additionally, second baseman Gleyber Torres has yet to appear in a game for the Tigers since feeling pain in his side on a home run swing that forced him to leave the game early in last Friday's loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Tigers officially placed Torres on the 10-day injured list over the weekend, retroactive to March 29, with a left oblique strain.

Torres is continuing to complete rehab daily during his first stint on the injured list since August 2021. Since then, he has played in at least 125 consecutive games in three consecutive seasons for the New York Yankees. The Tigers, who signed Torres to a one-year, $15 million deal in free agency, appear to be playing it safe with the second baseman while they navigate several other injuries in their lineup.

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