Tigers foreshadow Spencer Torkelson decision with latest roster move

In a puzzling move for an offense-hungry team, the Detroit Tigers have optioned Justyn-Henry Malloy – one of their best hitters during spring training – to Triple-A Toledo on the eve of Opening Day.

Malloy, who hit an impressive .309 across 55 Grapefruit League at-bats this spring, had long been considered one of a handful of players battling for on of the final remaining spots on the Tigers' bench to open the 2025 season. It's hard to argue that Malloy didn't earn that spot with his bat; and yet, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers are instead making Ryan Kreidler a last-minute addition to their 26-man active roster.

Kreidler wasn't supposed to make the Tigers' Opening Day roster; in fact, he had already been optioned to Triple-A Toledo over the weekend. But the injury to Wenceel Pérez in Sunday's Grapefruit League finale suddenly left the Tigers down not one, but three center fielders with the regular season arriving.

After Pérez went down, Kreidler found himself back in the mix for the Tigers' injury-depleted outfield. Kreidler's .237 batting average during spring training is nothing to write home about, though it is an improvement over his .147 career average in 72 Major League games over parts of the last three seasons.

Despite Kreidler's offensive struggles, his elite defensive ability at Detroit's positions of greatest need ultimately gave him the edge over Malloy. Kreidler played 70 innings in center field, 30 innings at shortstop, and 10 innings at third base this spring, and he will likely be one of the Tigers' primary options at center alongside recent free agent signing Manuel Margot while Pérez, Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling remain sidelined with injuries to open the season.

Tigers foreshadow Spencer Torkelson decision with latest roster move

The news of Malloy's option to Triple-A virtually guarantees Spencer Torkelson a spot on the Opening Day roster. Both bat-first players, they were essentially competing against one another for a single roster spot, and the addition of Kreidler effectively squeezes Malloy out of the picture.

Torkelson, to his credit, has had an excellent spring. He's been mashing the ball over the past month, slashing .340/.389/.680 with five homers in 50 Grapefruit League at-bats. He will likely open the 2025 season in the DH role for the Tigers, but he can also be an effective backup option for Colt Keith at first base.

So instead of going all-in on adding offense to their lineup, the Tigers took a more balanced approach and opted to add Torkelson's bat alongside Kreidler's glove. Time will tell if this was the right decision; but don't be surprised if Malloy is back in Detroit once the Tigers are back to full strength in center field.

More Tigers content from Motor City Bengals