Spencer Torkelson can save the Tigers (and his future) after Gleyber Torres injury

The extra-innings heartbreaker against the Los Angeles Dodgers wasn't the only loss the Detroit Tigers suffered on Friday.

Second baseman Gleyber Torres, whom the Tigers signed to a one-year, $15 million contract in free agency this offseason, mashed his first home run as a member of the Tigers during Friday's game, but it may have come at a cost. He could be seen grabbing his side as he rounded the bases, and though he came back in to play defense in the following inning, he later exited the game entirely. He did not play in the series finale.

Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reported that Torres "had an issue with his lower ribs" and that his removal from Friday's game was precautionary. Torres later told the media that he had woken up that morning with a sore rib and jokingly chalked the injury up to "getting old" – an encouraging sign that the injury isn't anything serious. But that was short-lived, as Torres hit the IL on Monday before the series opener against the Seattle Mariners.

Still, the Tigers' risk aversion is understandable given that Torres represents the latest in a cavalcade of injuries to befall the club this spring, joining right-handed pitcher Alex Cobb, utility man Matt Vierling, and outfielders Parker Meadows and Wenceel Pérez. Fortunately, in the case of a Torres injury, the Tigers already have a foolproof backup plan.

Spencer Torkelson's early emergence can easily provide Tigers relief with Gleyber Torres injury

When the Tigers signed Torres, the club announced that Colt Keith – last season's starting second baseman – would be moving to first. That fueled plenty of speculation that former No. 1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson had effectively been squeezed off of the Tigers' roster amid his struggles with offensive inconsistency.

Torkelson was going to need to have an exceptional spring training in order to earn a Major League roster spot this year, and he did just that. He slashed 340/.389/.680 with five home runs and 11 RBI over 50 Grapefruit League at-bats, making it virtually impossible for the Tigers to deny him a spot on the 26-man Opening Day roster.

With Keith taking over Torkelson's old position at first base, the latter was slotted as the Tigers' primary option at DH to begin the season. The role seemed to suit him, as Torkelson was Detroit's most productive hitter in the series against the Dodgers with a home run, four hits and a .444/.643/.889 slash line in nine at-bats against the reigning World Series champs.

The injury to Torres even further justifies the Tigers' decision to add Torkelson to the Opening Day roster. With Detroit's starting second baseman out of the lineup, Keith can shift back to his old position, and Torkelson can reprise his role as first baseman to hopefully rediscover his 2023 form.

While the Tigers would surely prefer to have Torres healthy, their contingency plan should put fans at ease – and could foreshadow a more permanent role for Torkelson once Torres' contract is up at the end of the season.

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