Fans are speculating on Gleyber Torres' health as underlying metrics suggest bad news for Tigers

For the most part, Tigers fans saw Gleyber Torres' return to Detroit as a win. He struggled just as much as the rest of the offense in the second half of 2025, but everyone involved was optimistic that an offseason surgery to address a sports hernia would get him hitting again, especially when the Tigers are paying him the qualifying offer's $22.025 million.

Through 25 games, Torres is, unsurprisingly, getting on base a lot. His .363 OBP is third among qualified Tigers hitters and he leads the offense in walks with 18. He's hit one home run, against the Cardinals on April 4, but only has two extra-base hits to his name so far.

While the Tigers were getting swept in Minnesota, Torres said he was happy to take his walks and get on base for whoever came after, "but I am looking to make some adjustments and start to hit the ball a little bit more."

And he has, but only by a little. He had two multi-hit games against the Royals and hit a spree of singles between the Red Sox and Brewers series, but his .290 slugging entering play on Friday is worrisome, and fans are speculating accordingly.

Gleyber Torres' slow start is raising some yellow flags for Tigers fans

Sports hernia surgeries are relatively routine, as far as sports surgeries go, and he underwent the procedure early enough into the offseason that it seems unlikely he's still feeling its effects.

Some fans were pointed to a video from earlier in the season in which Torres admitted that his lower body feels "old," which ... isn't a great sign, and could indicate that Torres just doesn't have it in him anymore, even at a relatively young age.

The Tigers themselves haven't raised any red flags — after all, he's still doing what the Tigers love him for doing. Despite a low batting average and slugging, he's still scored the Tigers' third-most runs behind Kevin McGonigle and Riley Greene.

So will $22.025 million turn out to be an overpay? Almost certainly, but it always sort of going to be. It's clearly not something that AJ Hinch or the rest of the staff feels the need to worry about too much right now, but it'll be something for fans to monitor as the season progresses. Torres should feel some urgency too; he won't have the cushion of a qualifying offer again going into free agency this offseason.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow