Detroit Tigers outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy has been optioned to Triple-A Toledo.
The Tigers chose utility player Ryan Kreidler for the 26-man MLB roster and optioned Malloy to Triple-A on Wednesday, one day before Thursday’s Opening Day game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation who were granted anonymity because the roster moves are not official.
Kreidler, 27, wasn’t supposed to make the Opening Day roster, but after an injury to outfielder Wenceel Pérez in Sunday’s Grapefruit League finale in spring training, the Tigers put him back in the mix.
As for Malloy, the 25-year-old hit .309 (17-for-55) with one home run, five walks and 12 strikeouts in 22 games during spring training, including his lone home run in Tuesday’s exhibition against the San Francisco Giants.
Kreidler shifted his focus to center field in spring training, which is where he likely fits for the Tigers after outfield injuries to Pérez, Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling.
This spring, Kreidler played 70 innings in center field, 30 innings at shortstop and 10 innings at third base. He hit .237 (9-for-38) with 10 walks and 10 strikeouts in 21 games.
Kreidler is a .147 hitter in his 72-game MLB career, spanning parts of three seasons. He has struggled offensively, but the Tigers view him as an elite defender.
This story will be updated.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers roster: Justyn-Henry Malloy to Triple-A, Ryan Kreidler on team
