Meadows makes instant impact in return to Tigers

CHICAGO -- Parker Meadows might’ve gotten a “really good” bed at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago from Sunday night into Monday morning, but it didn’t help him sleep all that well.

Meadows just kept thinking about Monday’s series opener between the Tigers and White Sox at Rate Field because, finally, he was set to take the field for the first time in 2025.

Detroit took another big step toward full strength by reinstating Meadows from the 60-day injured list on Monday. He made his season debut, batting leadoff and playing center field against Chicago. In corresponding moves, the team optioned Justyn-Henry Malloy to Triple-A Toledo and designated Ryan Cusick for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

“When I talked to [Meadows] on the phone and let him know he was coming to Chicago, I was like, 'Hey, I can be easy on you.' And he's like, 'I'll play as many games in a row as you need,’” manager A.J. Hinch said. “So he wants to play.”

It didn't take long for Meadows to make his presence felt. He made a diving catch on a sinking liner to end the top of the first inning and walked and stole a base in the second. He finished the night 2-for-4 with double, triple, two walks and three runs scored in a 13-1 Tigers' victory.

Meadows hasn’t suited up for the Tigers since their Spring Training opener against the Phillies on Feb. 22. He reported upper arm discomfort after the game and was diagnosed with a musculocutaneous nerve issue. The nerve would not activate, leaving Meadows unable to throw.

The unusual injury had no timetable; Detroit and Meadows basically had to wait for the nerve to “wake up,” so to speak. That can take a couple days, a couple weeks or a couple months. It turned out to be closer to the latter.

“It was tough,” Meadows said. “Just put my head down and worked every day. We got a really good training staff here. Kept a good head on my shoulders, and they got me right.”

The recovery process took longer than he wanted, and not being able to play for the American League Central leaders couldn’t have made it any easier. But he tried to keep a positive mindset throughout the process.

Meadows did everything he could to be ready to ramp up whenever the nerve was ready for full baseball activity again. That came last month, allowing him to embark on a Minor League rehab assignment starting May 20.

The Tigers were so eager to get Meadows on the road to return, he began his assignment in Lakeland after weather threatened games at Toledo. He played eight rehab games -- five in center field -- between the Flying Tigers and Mud Hens, batting .259 (7-for-27) with a .950 OPS, collecting two triples, a double, a home run and five RBIs. He also walked six times and struck out eight.

Meadows was able to make harder throws as his rehab assignment wore on. He described them as “a little 'eh'” at first, but the more throws he made, the better he felt.

“It feels good now, and I'm ready to let it eat,” Meadows said.

Detroit has used a half-dozen players in center in Meadows’ absence, from Opening Day starter Ryan Kreidler to former everyday shortstop and AL Comeback Player of the Year candidate Javier Báez to All-Star outfielder Riley Greene. Báez has been a revelation in center, a position he loves, but he’s expected to get more time at third base going forward. He also started Monday’s game at shortstop.

Hinch will try to ease Meadows back in. Having gone through the first 60 games of the season without Meadows, Hinch is confident in the other center-field options at his disposal -- though even if Meadows doesn’t start a game, there’s always a chance Hinch may call him off the bench if necessary.

Of course, getting Meadows back is a boost to an already strong squad. He was a 2.2 bWAR player in 82 games for the Tigers last year, providing a 109 OPS+ at the plate and seven Outs Above Average in the field.

He has a chance to get to play at least that many games this season. And he’ll get to do that for a Detroit team already carrying the best record in the Majors.

“He's a glue guy, and the guys love him,” Hinch said. “He played at an incredibly high level for us on both sides of the ball, and we have missed him. Our guys have done a really good job kind of picking up the pieces and being able to adjust to life without him, but we're better with him.”

“It's cool, man,” Meadows said. “It's a humbling experience. Super blessed to be able to be back up here with the boys.”