After finishing the first half of their season with the best record in Major League Baseball, the Tigers are focused on reaching the postseason for the second straight year. To do that, they won’t just have to keep playing the style of baseball that produced a 51-32 record entering Saturday’s game with the Minnesota Twins. They’ll also have to adapt to some of the things that went wrong and perhaps acquire reinforcements at next month’s trade deadline.
With that in mind, the Tigers finally pulled the plug on a struggling infielder on Saturday morning and may have added a right-handed bat that can help them complete their push for the playoffs.
Tigers Option SS Trey Sweeney to Triple-A Toledo
The Tigers announced on Saturday morning that they are optioning shortstop Trey Sweeney to Triple-A Toledo. The move will be made to remove outfielder Matt Vierling from the injured list and write another chapter in what’s been a disappointing season for the 25-year-old.
Trey Sweeney has been optioned to Triple-A Toledo. Matt Vierling has returned from the injured list. #Tigers
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) June 28, 2025
A former first-round pick by the New York Yankees, Sweeney was one of the Tigers’ biggest surprises after being acquired in the trade deadline deal that sent Jack Flaherty to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 25-year-old hit .218/.269/.373 with four homers and 17 RBI over the final 36 games of Detroit’s push to the playoffs, but he also added a boost in the field with three defensive runs saved.
Sweeney opened the year as the Tigers' starting shortstop, but things unraveled quickly. He was .221/.280/.314 with four homers, 23 RBI, and a pair of stolen bases over the first 70 games. But his defense dropped off dramatically, logging a -5 in defensive runs saved.
By optioning Sweeney, the Tigers can try one more solution for a right-handed bat before the trade deadline. Vierling has been on the shelf since March with a strained rotator cuff but hit .257/.312/.423 with 16 homers and 57 RBI in 144 games last year. With Javier Baez, Kerry Carpenter, and Wenceel Peréz all serving a role in the outfield, Vierling gives manager A.J. Hinch another option while allowing Sweeney to get a mental reset at Toledo.
This is a key move as the Tigers inch closer to the deadline. If Vierling can provide some consistency from the right side of the plate, Detroit could focus its attention on adding either a starting pitcher or a bullpen arm. If not, the Tigers could be in the market for a right-handed hitter that could be a difference maker.