Matt Vierling DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Detroit Tigers outfielder/infielder Matt Vierling (shoulder) has joined Triple-A Toledo on the road against Triple-A Worcester, a source told Baseball America's Emily Waldon. Vierling will get a few days of conditioning and is planning to serve as the designated hitter on Sunday for the Mud Hens. The 28-year-old has missed all of the 2025 season so far after landing on the 10-day injured list at the end of March due to a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder. When he's finally activated, he should serve as a lineup regular for Detroit between the outfield and infield. In 144 games with the Tigers in his second season with the team in 2024, Vierling set career-highs in home runs (16), doubles (28), RBI (57) and runs scored (80) while slashing .257/.312/.423 while also stealing six bases. Fantasy managers looking for outfield depth in deeper leagues should consider picking him up if he's available on the waiver wire.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Matt Vierling (shoulder) will hopefully be ready to begin a rehab assignment pretty soon, according to manager A.J. Hinch. He's yet to play this season after suffering a strained rotator cuff in February. His rehab assignment should be expected to be on the longer side, considering he missed almost all of spring training with the injury. In 2024, he slashed .257/.312/.423 with 16 home runs, 57 RBI, 80 runs, and six stolen bases in 144 games, making him a useful fantasy player in deeper formats.

Detroit Tigers infielder/outfielder Matt Vierling (shoulder) is hitting batting practice, completing defensive drills and doing conditioning on a daily basis and has also been cleared to start a return to play throwing program, according to MLive's Evan Woodbery. A right-shoulder strain that Vierling suffered in spring training landed him on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season, but he's making good progress and may be able to return to make his season debut at the end of April, barring any setbacks. However, with no timetable and the fact that he still needs to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, it's probably more likely we won't see him back in Detroit until early May. Given all of the injuries to Detroit's outfielders, Vierling will probably be in line for everyday playing time in the outfield when he's ready to return.