Outfielder Matt Vierling has been removed from the Detroit Tigers’ starting lineup for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels due to left foot soreness, the team announced. Vierling was initially set to lead off and play center field, but he couldn’t play.
Riley Greene will now start in center field, Justyn-Henry Malloy will move to left field, and Jake Rogers will take over as the designated hitter. Andy Ibáñez will bat leadoff and play second base.
Vierling has been a regular in the Tigers’ lineup this season, playing in 74 of the team’s first 82 games. He is hitting .251 with 10 home runs, 33 RBIs, a .728 OPS, and a 0.7 WAR. However, since June 4, he has struggled, batting .163 with a .523 OPS.
Vierling began his MLB career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2021 and was traded to the Tigers before the 2023 season. In his first season with Detroit, he posted a .261 average with 10 home runs, 44 RBIs, a .717 OPS, and a 1.5 WAR over 134 games.
At 27 years old, Vierling is third on the Tigers in home runs, slugging percentage, and OPS.
Here is the Tigers’ lineup against the Angels without Vierling:
1. Andy Ibáñez, 2B
2. Mark Canha, 1B
3. Riley Greene, CF
4. Jake Rogers, DH
5. Carson Kelly, C
6. Wenceel Pérez, RF
7. Gio Urshela, 3B
8. Justyn-Henry Malloy, LF
9. Ryan Kreidler, SS
SP: Casey Mize, RHP
