Wenceel Pérez DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Detroit Tigers outfielder Wenceel Perez (back) said the plan is for him to start a minor-league rehab assignment with High-A West Michigan on Thursday if all goes well early in the week. Perez, who had been rehabbing at the team's spring training complex in Lakeland, Fla., did some running and played catch at Comerica Park before Monday's blowout win over the Boston Red Sox. It looks like the 25-year-old still needs to be cleared to swing before he's allowed to go on a rehab assignment later this week. He has missed the entire 2025 season to this point due to lumbar spine inflammation and won't be eligible to come off the 60-day injured list until later this month. When healthy, the Dominican outfielder will provide depth for the Tigers' outfield after he hit .242 (94-for-389) with nine home runs, 37 RBI and nine stolen bases in his first 112 MLB games a year ago.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Wenceel Perez (back) is completing defensive drills, playing catching, hitting batting practice in the cage and is progressing through a running progression, according to MLive's Evan Woodbery. Perez is finally doing baseball activities again after receiving two cortisone shots to help his lumbar-spine inflammation. The 25-year-old is currently on the 60-day injured list, so he won't be able to return to the Tigers until at least late May, but if he's able to start a minor-league rehab assignment soon, he could rejoin the big-league club when he's eligible. In his rookie season in 2024, Perez slashed .242/.300/.383 with nine home runs, 37 RBI, nine steals and 51 runs in 112 games played. He is versatile (can play middle infield) and has speed to spare, but he may not see enough playing time when he's ready to return to justify a roster spot in deep-mixed fantasy leagues.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Wenceel Perez (back) received the second of two scheduled cortisone injections on Friday, according to MLive's Evan Woodbery. Perez was forced to the injured list to begin the 2025 season due to lumbar-spine inflammation, and there's currently no timetable for his return. With no clear picture on when he might be able to make his season debut, the 25-year-old most likely won't come off the IL until May. When he is healthy, expect him to be an option for a platoon role in center field with Parker Meadows (arm) also out for the foreseeable future. The switch-hitting Dominican can be left to the waiver wire in mixed leagues for now. Last year was his first year in the big leagues, and he hit .242/.300/.383 with a .683 OPS, nine home runs, 37 RBI and nine steals in 112 games played.