Tigers avoid major injury scare with Spencer Torkelson after AJ Hinch update

For a few tense moments Tuesday in Lakeland, the Detroit Tigers had reason to hold their breath.

When a pitch from veteran reliever Burch Smith struck Spencer Torkelson on the right forearm during a simulated game, the sight of the Tigers’ everyday first baseman walking off with a trainer immediately raised alarms across the organization.

In spring training, when rosters are still taking shape and the season is only weeks away, even minor injuries can derail plans. Fortunately for Detroit, the worst fears never materialized.

Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed Wednesday that the injury was nothing more than a contusion, meaning the Tigers avoided what could have been a significant setback to the middle of their lineup.

“It was scary,” Hinch admitted to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. “From what I know, from afar, we’ve avoided anything major.”

The scare the Tigers didn't need came during a simulated game at Joker Marchant Stadium when Smith’s fastball rode inside and caught Torkelson on the forearm. The 26-year-old immediately exited with a trainer, a precaution that naturally set off concern given how quickly injuries can spiral.

Hinch was more than 100 miles away managing the Tigers’ Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers when the incident occurred, meaning he initially received updates from afar. After medical evaluation and imaging, however, the diagnosis brought relief.

“Tork got evaluated and got tests done,” Hinch said. “Everything came back as a contusion, so that’s a good sign.”

For the Detroit Tigers, that’s about the best outcome possible.

Spring injury scare highlights how important Spencer Torkelson has become to Tigers' lineup

In 2025, Torkelson delivered the most complete season of his young career. Across 155 games, he posted a career high .240 batting average, a career best .789 OPS, 31 home runs and 72 walks. Those numbers represented a major step forward for a former No. 1 overall pick whose early career had been defined by flashes of power but inconsistent production.

Last season, the power remained, but the approach improved. Torkelson’s walk rate climbed, his on-base skills stabilized, and the Tigers finally began to see the offensive cornerstone they envisioned when they drafted him. If Detroit hopes to take another step forward in 2026, Torkelson’s power bat sits at the center of those ambitions.

Now, as Opening Day approaches, Detroit can breathe a little easier knowing its first baseman — and one of the lineup’s most important power bats — avoided something far worse than a bruise.