Gleyber Torres’ First Home Run for Tigers Overshadowed by Injury Concern
The Detroit Tigers signed Gleyber Torres in the offseason, hoping the veteran infielder could provide a much-needed boost to their offense. On Friday night, Torres gave fans a glimpse of his power at the plate, but his impressive moment was quickly clouded by injury concerns.
A Powerful Start with a Worrisome Finish
In the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Torres stepped up to the plate and crushed an inside pitch, sending it over the fence for his first home run as a Tiger. The blast gave Detroit a 2-0 lead, showcasing exactly why the team brought him in.
However, as he rounded the bases, Torres appeared to favor his hip, sparking immediate concern. After finishing his home run trot, he remained in the game defensively but was eventually removed. According to MLive reporter Evan Woodbury, Zach McKinstry took over at second base, while Javier Báez moved to third.
Tigers’ High Hopes for Torres in 2025
Detroit made a surprise playoff run in 2024, overcoming an eight-game deficit below .500 at the MLB Trade Deadline to become one of the league’s hottest teams. However, despite their late-season surge, the Tigers struggled with offensive consistency outside of Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter. Their lack of depth ultimately hurt them in the postseason, especially after Carpenter suffered an injury in the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians.
Recognizing the need for more firepower, Detroit turned to Torres in free agency. The two-time All-Star brings proven hitting ability, and in 2024, he posted a .257 batting average with 15 home runs, 63 RBIs, and a .330 on-base percentage.
What’s Next for Torres and the Tigers?
The Tigers weren’t expecting Torres to be a superstar, but they were counting on him to deliver clutch performances—just like he did Friday night. Now, the team must await further evaluation to determine the severity of his hip issue.
If the injury is minor, Torres could return quickly and continue contributing to Detroit’s push for contention. However, if it proves to be more serious, it could be an early setback for both the player and the team’s offensive aspirations in 2025.
For now, the Tigers and their fans can only hope that this moment of concern is nothing more than a small bump in the road.