Tigers' most recent outfield addition already hits injured list in latest curse

When The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen tweeted from the Tigers' clubhouse that newly acquired outfielder Brewer Hicklen was in the building ahead of Detroit's second game against the Yankees, fans were quick to speculate on potential corresponding moves. "Ryan Kreidler DFA" was by far the most popular option and, to be fair, that's more of an eventuality than a possibility. The Tigers are hurting for outfielders at the moment, but Kreidler's performance at the plate so far has been rather unforgivable.

However, the Tigers' latest medical report revealed that, in fact, Kreidler wouldn't be getting the bump. Instead, in yet another unfortunate turn of events for Detroit's outfield, newly signed Manuel Margot is going onto the 10-day IL with knee inflammation sustained during Monday's game.

Margot was signed as a last-minute addition after outfielders Parker Meadows, Matt Vierling, Wenceel Pérez, and Akil Baddoo all became destined to start the season on the IL with a myriad of injuries, but clearly, someone has placed a curse on the Tigers' outfield, or maybe on Tigers' position players in general. Gleyber Torres, pretty much their only other veteran bat, also hit the IL last week with a left oblique strain.

Tigers move Manuel Margot to 10-day IL with left knee inflammation to deal another blow to Detroit's outfield

This means that inevitable "Ryan Kreidler has been DFA'ed" tweet will have to wait a little longer. The medical update also contained an optimistic note about Vierling; he's been cleared to start throwing again after that part of his rehab was stalled last week. Like Margot, he's on the 10-day IL and should be eligible to return whenever he's ready, but the Tigers have yet to provide a clear timeline to him getting back onto the field.

Meadows still isn't throwing and isn't swinging a bat, but he was moved to the 60-day IL and won't be eligible to return until late May.

Margot was splitting time in right field with Kerry Carpenter and Zach McKinstry before he got hurt and has been hitting pretty decently, picking up three RBI in each of the Tigers' games against the Dodgers to kick of the season.

Without him, the Tigers are down yet another right-handed bat and won't be able to form a clear-cut, right-lefty platoon with Carpenter and McKinstry in right field, but we should be able to expect to see Justyn-Henry Malloy, who has gotten all of his starts so far as a DH, in the outfield. In the meantime, the Tigers just have to wait it out and hope that Vierling makes it back quickly.