Tigers' playoff pursuit takes hit after injury to key player

The Detroit Tigers announced that infielder Colt Keith has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to right rib cage inflammation. Fellow infielder Jace Jung has been recalled as the corresponding move.

It’s unclear exactly how long Keith will be sidelined. He departed Thursday's game while apparently grabbing at his back or side. 

“He was coming off and all he was saying to me was, ‘I got to come out of the game. I got to come out of the game,'” manager A.J. Hinch said yesterday, per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. “It’s very concerning this time of year, especially when he was that passionate about something going on in his back/side/rib region.”

Earlier on Friday, Hinch didn’t have much of an update, per Stavenhagen. 

“No news that I can confirm yet. He’s still going under medical evaluation. He’s here, and I talked to him. I know he’s not feeling great, but there’s been no determination as to what that means. Obviously, we’ll limit him today, get him evaluated multiple times. There’s some doctors’ feedback that we’re waiting on so that we can both diagnose it and explain it. But right now, I have nothing.”

It now appears that, with the continued evaluation, the Tigers decided to put him on the shelf. At minimum, he will miss the remainder of the regular season. The Tigers are still in a good position to make the playoffs, though the Guardians have shrunk the gap in the Central division to just 3.5 games. Assuming the Tigers do hold on to make the playoffs, Keith could perhaps play a role in October, if his health allows.

Colt Keith will be a big missing piece for Tigers' playoff pursuit

As they try to clinch a playoff spot, the Tigers will be without a key bat. Keith has hit 13 home runs this year and slashed .256/.333/.413 for a 108 wRC+. He has done that while splitting his time between the three non-shortstop infield positions.

Gleyber Torres and Spencer Torkelson should have second and first base covered, though the hot corner should be more of a rotation. That was already the case, as Keith had been sharing the position with Andy Ibáñez and Zach McKinstry. Going forward, Ibáñez and McKinstry should continue getting playing time there, with McKinstry in the lineup at third tonight.

Jung could perhaps factor in as well, though his major league work this year has been poor. It was a small sample of 53 plate appearances, but he produced a .111/.245/.111 line earlier this year. That got him sent to the minors, where he has a much better .252/.370/.447 line for the year.