After missing the first 51 games of the 2025 season, Matt Vierling is back in Detroit.
The Detroit Tigers got some welcome good news: Matt Vierling has been activated from the 10-day injured list. To make room, left-hander Sean Guenther was optioned to Triple-A Toledo — a tidy bit of roster shuffling announced by the club’s PR account on X.
So, what can fans expect now that the 27-year-old spark plug is healthy again?
How Vierling looked on rehab
- Toledo Mud Hens (9 games):
- .214 AVG (6-for-28)
- 2 HR, 4 RBI
- 12 K in 35 plate appearances
Not exactly video-game numbers, but the pair of long balls suggests the hamstring (and his swing) passed the stress test. The strikeouts? Chalk those up to shaking off rust — and facing a steady diet of breaking stuff from Triple-A arms desperate to impress.
A quick refresher on Vierling’s MLB résumé
| Season | Team | G | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | WAR* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | DET | 134 | .261 | 10 | 44 | .717 | 1.5 |
| 2024 | DET | 144 | .257 | 16 | 57 | .735 | 2.9 |
*WAR via FanGraphs through 2024.
Bottom line: he’s quietly become a league-average bat with above-average versatility, capable of playing all three outfield spots and moving around the infield.
Why his return matters right now
- Defensive flexibility: Manager A.J. Hinch can mix-and-match lineups without burning his DH spot.
- Clubhouse energy: Teammates rave about Vierling’s work ethic and “let’s-go” vibe — an underrated asset in a 162-game grind.
The Bottom Line
Matt Vierling’s rehab stats won’t win any batting titles, but the Tigers didn’t activate him for Toledo numbers. They need his big-league versatility, gap power, and contagious energy — and they need it now. Expect Hinch to slot him right back into the batting order and let the chips (and maybe a few extra-base hits) fall where they may.
