Matt Vierling DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Matt Vierling (shoulder) is not yet throwing, per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Stavenhagen notes that Vierling is hitting BP, conditioning, and running defensive drills daily but has yet to progress to throwing. This spring, Vierling was limited to just two at-bats after falling victim to a rotator cuff strain. The Tigers are short-staffed in the outfield right now, with teammates Parker Meadows (arm), Wenceel Perez (back), and Akil Baddoo (wrist) all dinged up with their respective injuries. Vierling was expected to rejoin the team by the end of April, which remains a possibility. However, he still has a few milestones to check off before he returns to in-game action. The 28-year-old will undergo an MRI in the coming days to check the status of his shoulder.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Matt Vierling (shoulder) has progressed to hitting soft toss in the batting cage. It's worth noting that Vierling is also doing defensive drills and conditioning daily. It's a step in the right direction for Vierling who is working his way back from a shoulder strain. The organization is hopeful to get Vierling back by the end of April. That would be great for the Tigers who are quickly running out of options in the outfield due to injuries. The Tigers are already without Wenceel Perez (back) and Parker Meadows (arm) to begin the season.

Detroit Tigers outfielders Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) are still not throwing as they work their way back to try and re-join the Tigers lineup. Meadows was shut down after just one Spring Training game with a nerve issue, and Manager A.J. Hinch said Meadows is making steps in his recovery but also confirmed last Friday that Meadows will begin the season on the injured list. The Tigers plan to have Wenceel Perez step in as the primary center fielded while Meadows is out, and Riley Greene could slide to center at times as well. Vierling also played just one game this Spring Training before being sidelined by a rotator cuff strain and will begin the season on the injured list, opening playing time for Justyn-Henry Malloy and Andy Ibanez.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Matt Vierling (shoulder) is going to be sidelined to begin the 2025 season. Vierling is dealing with a rotator cuff strain, so it's unclear how long he's going to be out right now. This is a tough break for the Tigers given Vierling slashed .257/.312/.423 with 16 home runs and 57 RBI across 144 games in Detroit last season. He is also a solid defender that earned himself a 3.0 WAR in 2024. Now, the Tigers will look at alternative options such as Justyn-Henry Malloy or Weencel Perez. Neither is an ideal fantasy option, but Perez was better than Malloy with the bat last season.