Gio Urshela injury: Tigers 3B removed for hamstring tightness (updated)

Did the cold weather in Minneapolis claim a victim? Tigers third baseman Gio Urshela appeared to injure his leg in the second inning while running to first base on a ground ball and hobbled off the field with a trainer.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch removed him from the game and replaced him with Matt Vierling.

The Tigers announced later that he was removed for "hamstring tightness." Hamstrings are always worrisome, but the phrasing of the injury update could certainly have been worse.

It's an unfortunate turn for Urshela, who played for the Twins in 2022. Only moments before the injury Target Field played Urshela's walk-up song when he came to the plate.

Gio Urshela injury could open the door for Tigers minor leaguer Buddy Kennedy

MLive's Evan Woodbery noted that the Tigers have just one healthy infielder on the 40-man roster should they need to make a roster move: Buddy Kennedy, playing in Triple-A Toledo. Kennedy, who came over from the Cardinals after being DFA'd, has had a good start for the Mud Hens: He's carrying a .307 average and .923 OPS in 61 plate appearances.

Kennedy has played in 40 games at the major league level, but doesn't have much to show for it. He has a career .206 average with .592 OPS. His ability to get on base is notable, as he has a .380 OBP for his minor league career. He had a .432 OBP in 2023 in the minors.

Urshela had been a bit of a bright point in the Tigers infield to start the season with a .304 average though the .655 OPS could be better. He put the Tigers ahead in the eighth inning against Texas with a single on Tuesday. He's scored four runs and had six RBIs entering play Friday.

Updated 9:30 p.m. Friday