For weeks beginning in spring training and leading into the regular season, the Detroit Tigers’ biweekly injury report consisted of only one name. That was pitcher Sawyer-Gipson Long, out with a left groin strain and now on a rehab assignment in Low-A Lakeland. 

It seemed almost too good to be true, bound for some sort of overcorrection. Three series into the regular season, the Tigers now have a second name on their injury report. Infielder Andy Ibáñez went on the 10-day injured list Monday with a left hamstring strain. In Ibáñez’s place, the Tigers recalled 24-year-old Wenceel Pérez, an infielder turned outfielder, who is now set to make his major-league debut.

News of Pérez’s call-up leaked earlier Thursday via an Instagram post from El Varón Sport. Unclear, however, was whose place Pérez would be taking on the roster. Ibáñez, it turns out, injured the hamstring running out a grounder on the final play of Sunday’s loss to the Oakland Athletics. The injury was not apparent to anyone in the moment, but Ibáñez reported his pain to trainers after the game. 

https://t.co/NyUQ9I1CbJ pic.twitter.com/Dz5qD0uhtb

— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) April 8, 2024

The hamstring strain is considered mild, so the news does not come as a major blow. Ibáñez, though, had already proven his value to the Tigers as a versatile, platoon bat who exemplifies much of what the Tigers are doing in 2024.

For Pérez, there will be a bigger challenge at hand. He received the call in place of Ibáñez partially because Ryan Kreidler, the shortstop who had a .916 OPS in spring training, is on the minor-league injured list after getting hit in the right hand with a pitch last Thursday. Kreidler previously fractured the fifth metacarpal on his right hand in April 2022. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Sunday Kreidler is still undergoing tests. Infielder Eddys Leonard, one of the stars of spring training, injured his left side after a swing Sunday in Triple A. His status is also unknown. 

Another player Pérez got the call over is left-handed outfielder Akil Baddoo, who entered hitting .167 in 24 Triple-A at-bats. Pérez offers a slightly different skillset as a switch-hitter who also has a history in the infield. Pérez hit only .197 from the right side of the plate last season but has more strength against right-handed pitchers, against whom he hit .301 with an .874 OPS last season. 

Pérez moved from second base to the outfield in spring training after repeated issues throwing to first base. His arm is thought to play better in the outfield, though his routes and jumps remain a work in progress. Base running is one of the strengths of Pérez’s game, and he stole 26 bags in the minors last year.

Pérez will likely play a bench role for now, with his base running and switch-hit ability making him a possible late-game substitution. Matt Vierling is likely to handle an increased workload at third base in Ibáñez’s absence.

So after dodging the injury bug for so long, the Tigers are now making the first of many adjustments that come throughout a long season.

(Photo of Ibáñez: Rich Schultz / Getty Images)