Tigers demote playoff starter as 2025 struggles finally hit boiling point

According to reports, the Detroit Tigers optioned infielder Trey Sweeney back to the minor leagues following the game on Friday. This is the latest in a long line of disappointments for Sweeney as he's failed to find his footing this season.

It'll be back to Triple-A Toledo for Sweeney after hitting just .182/.250/.273 during the month of June and .221/.280/.314 overall. Detroit, of course, landed Sweeney (along with Thayron Liranzo) from the Los Angeles Dodgers last summer. A former first-round pick of the New York Yankees, Sweeney was part of the deal that Jack Flaherty to LA last season.

Sweeney has been used sparingly by Tigers manager A.J. Hinch over the last few weeks. Serving more often as a defensive replacement or pinch hitter, Sweeney has given the Tigers' skipper little reason to trust the 25-year-old. With multiple minor-league options remaining, and Javier Baez riding a potential All-Star season, it's easy to see why this move was made.

Matt Vierling will return to action as the corresponding move, and he'll help a lot more right now.

Tigers demote Trey Sweeney as 2025 struggles finally hit boiling point, activate Matt Vierling

The Tigers are banking on a return to Triple-A Toledo, and, with it, consistent at-bats. While not a power-hitter per se, Sweeney's ISO (.093) and slugging percentage (.314) reveal that of a player who's better suited for a utility role. Perhaps an extended look at Triple-A pitching will help Sweeney reestablish the type of numbers he posted in 2024.

Sweeney hit .267/.345/.450 with 15 home runs, 77 RBI, and a 103 wRC+ in the minors last season. Those are what Detroit needs from Sweeney if he ever hopes to land an everyday spot in the Tigers' lineup.

Even Sweeney's defensive metrics were lagging behind. After posting 3 defensive runs (DRS) and 2 outs above average (OAA) during his brief time in the majors last season, those numbers have dipped to -5 DRS and -1 OAA in nearly double the amount of playing time already this season.

Tigers fans have been calling for Sweeney's demotion for quite some time, and it appears that Scott Harris and the Detroit front office have finally hit their boiling point. Tigers fans will want to see vast improvements from Sweeney with the Toledo Mud Hens before he makes his return to the big leagues.

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