DETROIT -- The Tigers picked up their first lead of the series against the Guardians with Colt Keith’s second-inning RBI double in Thursday afternoon's 3-1 loss at Comerica Park, but it might have come at a price. Keith left the game after grabbing at his back on his way home when Parker Meadows lined out to shortstop to end the inning.
Keith walked carefully back into the dugout at inning’s end, his hand still on his back. Zach McKinstry moved over from shortstop to replace Keith at third base, with Trey Sweeney entering the game at short. The Tigers later announced that Keith is undergoing evaluation for low back tightness.
It’s a potentially big loss for the Tigers, who need all the help they can get for the home stretch as they try to wrap up what would be their first AL Central title since 2014. Keith has hit safely in eight of his past nine games, batting 7-for-20 with a home run and three RBIs during that stretch. He has also taken over primary duties at third, allowing McKinstry to get more playing time at short.
If Keith is sidelined for any length of time, the Tigers could put him on the 10-day injured list and have him eligible to return in time for the postseason. They have options at third base in Triple-A Toledo: Jace Jung entered Thursday batting .391 (18-for-46) in 12 September games for the Mud Hens with six doubles, three homers and 18 RBIs, while Hao-Yu Lee (ranked as Detroit's No. 6 prospect by MLB Pipeline) is batting .317 with an .856 OPS over 25 games since Aug. 16.