The Detroit Tigers made some tough roster decisions, with two players demoted to Triple-A putting up impressive performances over the weekend.
The Tigers dropped all three games in their season-opening series against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, a result that has sparked some early concerns among fans, even though they faced one of the best teams in the league.
Despite the season being young, there were troubling signs with the Tigers’ offense, leading to some unease among the fanbase.
J-Hen sent that one wayyyyyy out there đź‘‹ pic.twitter.com/4DYNtyTjxN
— Toledo Mud Hens (@MudHens) March 28, 2025
Detroit’s offense wasn’t completely shut down, scoring 12 runs in the series. However, it was their inability to deliver timely hits that kept them from capitalizing on opportunities against a strong opponent. Over the three games, the Tigers went just 4-for-32 with runners in scoring position, including an 0-for-15 performance in the opening game. Still, they were competitive, with a legitimate chance to win each game.
During roster announcements, the demotions of a couple of players raised eyebrows. Jace Jung, expected to play a significant role in both the lineup and defense as a rookie, was sent to Triple-A about a week before the season started. Justyn-Henry Malloy also had to wait until the final moment to learn he’d be starting the season in Toledo.
However, both players are clearly determined to return to the majors, as shown by their big performances over the weekend with the Mud Hens. Malloy was particularly outstanding, posting a .455/.538/.909 slash line with five hits, a home run, and five RBIs, looking dominant at the plate. His strong showing throughout spring training and in Triple-A earned him the call-up when Gleyber Torres was placed on the 10-day injured list with an oblique strain.
Jace Jung already in full swing! đź’Ą pic.twitter.com/wa2i3OOew1
— Toledo Mud Hens (@MudHens) March 28, 2025
While Malloy is likely to return to Toledo once Torres is healthy, his performance may force the Tigers to keep him around longer.
Jung also had a strong weekend, slashing .333/.538/.778 with three hits, an opposite-field home run, an RBI, and four walks—demonstrating patience and solid plate discipline.
As expected, the Tigers’ early struggles with leaving baserunners stranded have led some fans to question if the roster decisions were right, especially with Jung and Malloy excelling while the team faltered in key situations.
Malloy was always expected to be a part of the lineup at some point this season, and his performance only strengthens that likelihood. However, his defensive limitations were a significant factor in his initial demotion. If he keeps hitting like this, though, the Tigers may have no choice but to find him a permanent spot.
Jung was expected to go to Triple-A after a rough spring, with the hope that he’d regain confidence and return to contribute at the major league level. If he continues to perform well and the Tigers continue to struggle with timely hitting, roster changes could be on the horizon, even after Torres returns.
For now, though, it’s still early in the season for any drastic decisions based on just one series in both Detroit and Toledo.
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