Gleyber Torres injury could be short-term blessing in disguise for Tigers

When Gleyber Torres landed on the injured list after appearing in just the first two games of the season, it felt like a worst-case scenario for the Detroit Tigers. They were already down a pair of outfielders and a utility man, who suffered injuries during spring training; now, they would also be without their starting second baseman.

Fortunately, there was a relatively straightforward solution for the Tigers as far as replacing Torres in the infield. Colt Keith, who moved from second to first after the Tigers signed Torres in the offseason, would go back to second base. Spencer Torkelson would reprise his role at first, leaving the DH slot open for none other than Justyn-Henry Malloy.

Gleyber Torres injury could be short-term blessing in disguise for Tigers

Malloy was at the center of a rather controversial Opening Day roster decision that saw glove-first outfielder Ryan Kreidler break camp with the Tigers while Malloy's defensive limitations relegated him to Triple-A Toledo (despite his strong spring at the plate). Malloy wasn't in Toledo for long, though, getting the Major League call-up as soon as Torres went down.

In seven trips to the plate for Detroit, Malloy already has two hits, an RBI, two walks and a pair of runs for a slash line of .400/.571/.600. If he keeps hitting like this, the Tigers are going to have a hard time justifying sending him back to Triple-A once Torres is healthy – that is, of course, unless Torres is willing to move around the infield.

Yes, Torres famously (or infamously, if you're a New York Yankees fan) refused to move from second to third base last season after the Yankees traded for Jazz Chisholm Jr., and he proceeded to sign with Detroit in free agency under the promise that he could play second base on a full-time basis. But now that Torres is in a "prove-it" year with the Tigers, perhaps they can do what the Yankees couldn't – convince him to play multiple infield positions, thereby expanding his own skillset and giving his team more roster flexibility.

While Torres moving to third base would be a defensive shift, it could also dramatically improve the Tigers' offense by allowing them to keep both him and Malloy in the lineup for the time being. He may have balked at the move last year, but if the Tigers can convince Torres to have a change of heart this year, it could be a game changer for both the player and the team.

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