Should Detroit Tigers worry about Cleveland Guardians in AL Central?
On “Days of Roar,” Cleveland Guardians beat writer Paul Hoynes checks in about the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central race with two weeks remaining.
Colt Keith is injured.
The Detroit Tigers‘ third baseman — on third base after hitting a double — grabbed the right side of his lower back and grimaced in pain after Parker Meadows lined out to end the second inning Thursday, Sept. 18, against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park.
The severity of the injury is unknown.
Keith immediately alerted manager A.J. Hinch and walked down the tunnel with assistant athletic trainer Kelly Rhoades, removing himself from the game.
Zach McKinstry, who started at shortstop, replaced Keith at third base, with Trey Sweeney entering the game at shortstop.
Before the injury, Keith put the Tigers ahead, 1-0, when he ripped a first-pitch cutter from right-hander Tanner Bibee for an RBI double. He advanced to third on the bases when Dillon Dingler grounded into a forceout.
Keith shook his head as he walked off the field after Meadows lined out to end the second inning.
The 24-year-old left-handed hitter owns a .256 batting average, 13 home runs and a .746 OPS in 137 games in the 2025 season – his second in the majors. In 2025, he has started 31 games at third base, 21 games at second and 17 games at first, with 43 starts as the designated hitter.
Keith has never been on the injured list in the big leagues.
If Keith isn’t healthy, the Tigers could call upon Jace Jung — a fellow left-handed hitting third baseman/second baseman — to replace him. The 24-year-old is hitting .252 with 17 home runs, 78 walks and 125 strikeouts over 110 games in Triple-A Toledo, including a .299 batting average in his past 33 games.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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