Tigers make obvious corresponding roster move after welcoming back Wenceel Pérez

The Detroit Tigers are welcoming back another rookie to the fold as their playoff surge continues. Wenceel Perez is back after rehabbing from an oblique injury.

As the corresponding roster move, the Tigers announced Thursday that they have optioned infielder Ryan Kreidler to Triple-A Toledo.

Kreidler has split his time fairly evenly between Detroit and Toledo this season, most recently getting a call-up in late August when shortstop Javy Báez went down with season-ending hip surgery. Kreidler has managed a .369 OPS in 34 games at the Major League level this season.

The move clears space on Detroit's active roster for Pérez, who has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list. With trade deadline acquisition Trey Sweeney getting the bulk of the starts at shortstop and demonstrating plenty of offensive upside, Kreidler was the obvious choice to be sent back to Toledo.

Tigers activate Wenceel Pérez from injured list ahead of final stretch

Pérez missed a little more than a month of action with a strained left oblique, and it was initially expected that he would miss the remainder of the season. However, he has been reinstated from the IL and added to the Tigers' active roster after appearing in seven rehab games with Triple-A Toledo.

Pérez made his MLB debut in April and got an extended look in the outfield amid a flurry of injuries on the Tigers' roster. So far in 2024, he has slashed .242/.298/.368 with nine home runs and nine stolen bases over 378 plate appearances.

The Tigers are healthier now than they were before Pérez got hurt, so he might not be in line for as much playing time as he had been receiving prior to his injury. However, his return adds depth to the Tigers' outfield as they aim to close the gap in a tight American League Wild Card race.

Following Wednesday's 7-4 win over the Colorado Rockies, the Tigers now have a 75-71 record and remain just three games behind the Minnesota Twins for the final AL Wild Card spot. They have 16 games remaining in the regular season, and Pérez's return is a huge boost to the club as they make one final push to earn their first postseason berth since 2014.

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