28 Niko Goodrum SS

Goodrum went 2-for-2 with a double in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies and is a perfect 4-for-4 this spring.

It's naturally a really small sample size, but with Goodrum looking to solidify his role during spring training, every good performance helps. The 29-year-old will likely serve as a utility option for the Tigers with Willi Castro likely emerging as the everyday shortstop, but Goodrum should still play often across the field.

Goodrum could serve in a utility role for the Tigers this season with Willi Castro (shoulder) working as the primary shortstop, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Goodrum started 30 games at shortstop for the team in 2020 while Castro started 26, but the latter was a lot better offensively (.931 OPS compared to .598 for Goodrum) and seems to be emerging as an everyday player the Tigers can build around. Goodrum is versatile enough to play multiple positions, so the Tigers will likely use him in a utility role, at least to begin the season.

Goodrum signed a one-year, $2.1 million deal with the Tigers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Goodrum struggled in 2020 with a .598 OPS in 179 plate appearances, but he remains under contract for next season. The 28-year-old should have a chance in spring training to secure an everyday role to begin 2021.

Goodrum went 1-for-3 with a stolen base, a run scored and a walk in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Royals.

Goodrum hit a double in the seventh inning, then stole third base and came home on an Eric Haase sacrifice fly. That got the Tigers within a run, but they couldn't tie the game. Goodrum si slashing a paltry .179/.257/.338 with six steals, five homers, 19 RBI and 14 runs scored in 41 contests.

Goodrum (oblique) went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI in Tuesday's 6-0 win over the Royals.

Back in action after a two-week stint on the injured list, Goodrum picked up his first start of the season at the keystone and turned in a quality performance at the dish. With Jonathan Schoop (wrist) moving to the IL on Tuesday, Goodrum should serve as the Tigers' everyday second baseman until the former is ready to return. He'll man second base and will bat fifth in Wednesday's series finale.

Goodrum (oblique) was activated from the 10-day injured list and will start at second base Tuesday against the Royals.

Jonathan Schoop will head to the IL with a wrist sprain, so Goodrum essentially just takes Schoop's spot while Willi Castro retains the starting shortstop job. Goodrum hit .186 with five home runs, five steals and a 38.8 percent strikeout rate in 31 games prior to landing on the injured list.

Goodrum was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain, retroactive to Wednesday.

Goodrum was set to miss his fourth consecutive game Saturday, and he'll head to the injured list to recover. It's unclear how much time he'll need to heal. Sergio Alcantara was recalled in a corresponding move and should serve in a depth role as Willi Castro should handle most of the work at shortstop.

Goodrum (abdomen) isn't expected to play during Friday's doubleheader against the Twins, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old sustained an abdominal injury during Tuesday's game in Milwaukee and didn't play Wednesday, and it appears he won't be retaking the field for Friday's twin bill either. Goodrum should be considered day-to-day. Willi Castro is likely to receive more time at shortstop in his absence.

Goodrum (abdomen) isn't in Wednesday's lineup against the Brewers.

Goodrum is reportedly fine and available off the bench if necessary, but manager Ron Gardenhire wants to give him a day off after he suffered an abdominal injury Tuesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports. Willi Castro will start at shortstop Wednesday, but Goodrum could return to the lineup Friday after the Tigers' scheduled off day.

Goodrum is expected to be out of Wednesday's lineup in Milwaukee due to an abdominal injury, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old looked to be clutching at his side after a flyout Tuesday, but it doesn't appear to be a serious issue since he never exited the contest despite the lopsided score. Goodrum is also 3-for-24 with 14 strikeouts in his past seven games, so it may be a good time for a day off regardless of the injury. Willi Castro is likely to take over at shortstop for the Tigers on Wednesday.

Goodrum went 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Tuesday's win over the Cubs.

Goodrum has struggled in nearly every aspect this season -- he is hitting a paltry .188 overall -- but he has provided some value with five home runs, 15 RBI and four steals. Nonetheless, it's hard to have much confidence in the utilityman's output given his trouble making contact. In 96 at-bats this season, he has struck out 40 times.

Goodrum went 2-for-3 with two walks, a double and a solo home run in Sunday's 7-4 win over Cleveland.

Goodrum reached base four times and hit his fifth home run of the season in a strong all-around effort. It's an encouraging sign for the 28-year-old, who came into Sunday slashing just .183/.231/.383 this month. Goodrum has never hit even .250 in a season, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect a great batting average, but he does offer a decent combo of power and speed from the middle infield.

Goodrum isn't in the lineup Saturday against Cleveland.

Goodrum went hitless with one walk and eight strikeouts over his past 13 plate appearances, and he'll get a day off Saturday. Willi Castro will take over at shortstop in his absence.

Goodrum went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Tuesday's loss against the White Sox.

Goodrum has recorded hits in three of his last four games, but even so he is just 3-for-23 total in his last six games. Despite his overall offensive struggles, Goodrum has been producing runs at a decent rate and has already racked up 14 RBI in 20 games this season.

Goodrum (back) returns to the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox, leading off and playing shortstop.

Goodrum left Sunday's game against Cleveland with back soreness and did not take part in Monday's contest, but the issue was evidently a minor one. His .726 OPS this season is respectable enough, though his .269 on-base percentage is far too low for a leadoff man.

Goodrum (back) will sit Monday against the White Sox.

Goodrum left in the middle of Sunday's game against Cleveland with back tightness, so it's no surprise to see him sit for at least one contest. Willi Castro slides to shortstop in his absence, with Isaac Paredes making his big-league debut at third base.

Goodrum was removed in the top of the fifth inning of Sunday's game against the Indians with right upper-back tightness.

According to Evan Woodbery of MLive.com, Goodrum appeared to tweak his back on a swing during his fourth-inning plate appearance. Victor Reyes came off the bench to replace Goodrum, who finishes the day 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Goodrum went 1-for-4 with a home run, a stolen base, a walk, two RBI and a run scored, but it wasn't enough as the Tigers lost 10-5 to the Indians on Friday.

Goodrum got the Tigers their only lead of the evening after he smoked a two-run shot to right field in the third inning to put his club up 3-2. The 28-year-old shortstop has been streaky at the plate as he has nine hits and nine RBI in his last seven games, but he has also gone hitless in three of those outings and has 10 strikeouts over that same span. Even if he can maintain better consistency at the plate, Goodrum still remains a risky add due to his high strikeout percentage (36.6%).

Goodrum went 4-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Monday's 5-1 win over the White Sox.

Goodrum came into Monday batting just .191 but the four-hit effort boosted his average to .255. The Detroit shortstop has looked better lately after a slow start to the season, as he now has three multi-hit performances over his past four starts. He should remain the Tigers' leadoff hitter for the foreseeable future.

Goodrum went 2-for-6 with a solo homer, a double and an additional run scored during Saturday's 11-5 win against the Pirates.

The 28-year-old entered the series 0-for-12 with eight strikeouts over his past five games, but through two games in Pittsburgh he's 4-for-12 with a homer, three doubles and six RBI. Goodrum has a .730 OPS through 12 games and will look to continue trending upward in Sunday's series finale.