The Detroit Tigers are one of the best teams in the American League and were rewarded with a pair of players making the starting lineup for the All-Star Game on July 15. While it may appear that Riley Greene and Javier Báez broke out overnight, it’s the culmination of a long process that helped them not only become All-Stars but get to the major leagues.
For one former Tigers infielder, his journey to the major leagues culminated several years ago. But his 2025 season debut was elusive after signing with an American League contender this offseason. As the calendar turned to July, he finally broke through and got his opportunity to return to the big leagues on Wednesday night.
Former Tigers Infielder Zack Short Finally Called Up By Astros
The Houston Astros announced on Wednesday that they selected the contract of former Tigers infielder Zack Short. Short was called up to the major leagues after Luis Guillorme was placed on the injured list with a strained right hamstring and completed a long path to Houston after signing with the team this past winter.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/SKNuxgTJ8u
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 2, 2025
Short signed a minor league deal with the Astros but didn’t make the club out of spring training. He spent the year at Triple-A Sugarland, hitting .211/.356/.402 with 12 home runs and 35 RBI. Short also has drawn walks at a 17.5% clip this season to help his case for the call-up.
Before that, Short was a 17th-round pick by the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 draft that was traded to Detroit in exchange for Cameron Maybin at the 2020 trade deadline. He spent three seasons with the Tigers beginning in 2021 before spending time with the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves in 2024. In five seasons, he’s posted a batter’s line of .166/.268/.287 with 13 home runs and 60 RBI in 220 career games.
While Short was probably happy to return to the major leagues, it’s under tough circumstances for the Astros. Jeremy Peña, Brendan Rodgers, and Zach Dezenzo have all hit the injured list in the past month, and Houston is trying to hold on to a seven-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the American League West.
With so many players on the injured list, Short’s call-up isn’t likely to be a long one – especially after going 0-for-1 in Wednesday’s win over the Colorado Rockies. But players in his position will take what they can get and likely enjoy their time back in the big leagues.