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Tigers' Colt Keith: Receiving afternoon off vs. lefty
Rotowire
Keith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.
Detroit didn't face a left-handed starting pitcher through its first 16 games of the season, but the Tigers have now taken on a pair of southpaws (Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic) in their three-game series with the Royals. Keith has found himself on the bench for both contests and looks like he could be in line for a strong-side platoon role while the Tigers have all their key bats available, save for Parker Meadows (arm). Jahmai Jones will enter the starting nine as a replacement for Keith, serving as the Tigers' designated hitter and No. 3 batter.
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Tigers' Colt Keith: Out of Tigers' lineup
Rotowire
Keith is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Cardinals.
It's a routine breather for Keith, who sports a healthy .962 OPS in the early going this season. Gleyber Torres is getting a start in the designated hitter slot and Zach McKinstry will cover second base for the Tigers.
Keith is out of the lineup for Friday's game against San Diego.
The ascension of Kevin McGonigle has nixed Keith's opportunity to land a regular role at third base. While the Tigers found a spot for Keith at designated hitter on Opening Day, the 24-year-old is out of the starting nine Friday as Gleyber Torres serves as the DH and Zach McKinstry plays second base. McGonigle, after going 4-for-5 in the opener, is manning third once again.
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Tigers' Colt Keith: Could be set for timeshare
Rotowire
After an underwhelming spring training, Keith may end up splitting time at third base with several other players, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Keith sported a .662 OPS and no home runs across 17 Grapefruit League games. His middling results, along with a deep Detroit roster that features Zach McKinstry and Matt Vierling as primary options at the hot corner, could force Keith into something of a timeshare. Top prospect Kevin McGonigle is on the roster as well and is expected to see most of his time at shortstop, though he could also slide over to third on days when Javier Baez plays up the middle. Either way, Keith will likely need to produce at the plate if he wants to hold onto regular playing time.
Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Sunday that Keith will focus on playing third base and first base during spring training and will only return to second base if Detroit has injuries there, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
The 24-year-old played both the keystone and the hot corner in the minors, and second base is where he spent almost all of his time as a rookie in 2024. Keith moved around more last season, playing 18 games at first base, 26 at second and 37 at third while posting a .746 OPS over 137 regular-season games. He's expected to begin 2026 as Detroit's primary third baseman, but his playing time could be impacted by the eventual arrival of top prospect Kevin McGonigle.
Keith (ribs) is listed on the Tigers' ALDS roster.
Keith landed on the injured list Sept. 19 due to right rib cage inflammation, and after sitting out the AL Wild Card Series versus Cleveland, the 24-year-old will now be available to play against Seattle in the ALDS. That being said, it remains unknown whether he will start Game 1 against the Mariners on Saturday. If he sits out, Zach McKinstry would likely continue to see action at the hot corner.
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Tigers' Colt Keith: In lineup as DH
Rotowire
Keith (ribs) will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth in Saturday's ALDS Game 1 matchup against the Mariners.
Keith was officially added to the Tigers' ALDS roster Saturday after missing the wild-card round with rib-cage inflammation, and he's now been deemed fit enough to work as Detroit's designated hitter to begin the series. He'll make his 2025 postseason debut against George Kirby, whom he is 4-for-8 against in his MLB career.
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Tigers' Colt Keith: Hoping to be back for ALDS
Rotowire
The Tigers are hopeful that Keith (ribs) will be ready to play in the ALDS, should they advance, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Sidelined for the past two weeks with right rib cage inflammation, Keith played catch on the field at Progressive Field on Wednesday. He's also been able to participate in other baseball activities, including swinging a bat, per Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. Keith certainly appears to be moving in the right direction, but a decision on his availability for the ALDS could come down to the wire. With Keith sidelined, Zach McKinstry has been filling in at third base for the Tigers.
