CHICAGO — Parker Meadows was all smiles as he returned to action on Monday night after a lengthy hiatus from Major League Baseball due to a nerve issue in his upper right arm. His comeback was a triumphant one as he fueled the Detroit Tigers to a dominant 13-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
Playing in his familiar spot in center field and at the top of the batting order, Meadows delivered two hits, scored three times, and executed an outstanding catch. “We really missed him on the field, especially playing for us,” expressed designated hitter Kerry Carpenter. “He’s incredibly special.”
The Tigers reinstated Meadows from the 60-day injured list while optioning infielder/outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy to Triple-A Toledo after a narrow 1-0 win over Kansas City. To make room, right-hander Ryan Cusick was designated for assignment.
Reflecting on his return, Meadows remarked, “I barely slept because I was so excited about today.”
His return to the lineup was nothing short of impressive. In the first inning, Meadows showcased his defensive prowess by making a diving catch that denied Andrew Benintendi a run-scoring opportunity. In his offensive contributions, Meadows hit a double, came around to score on a single by Gleyber Torres in the fourth inning, and demonstrated his base-running speed with a triple in the sixth, scoring once again on another Torres’ grounder. He also played a key role in a three-run eighth inning, where he reached base with a walk and crossed home plate.
Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty commended Meadows, saying, “His contribution at the top of the order and his defensive ability are invaluable. It’s great to have him back.”
Meadows’ journey back to the major leagues began when he was injured in Detroit’s spring training opener on February 22. After participating in eight rehab games starting May 21, where he hit .259 with a home run and five RBIs, Meadows was ready to rejoin the team.
“He’s the glue for this team,” explained Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. “His high-level play is something we’ve missed, and while our team adapted well during his absence, we are undoubtedly stronger with him around.”
Last season, Meadows, 25, posted a .244 batting average with nine home runs and 28 RBIs in 82 games for Detroit. His postseason performance was equally praiseworthy, hitting .269 over seven games and aiding the Tigers’ advance to the AL Division Series.
Meadows’ journey to recovery was longer than anticipated. “It was challenging, but I kept my focus and trusted the team’s excellent training staff to guide me back,” he explained.
One crucial part of his rehabilitation involved testing his arm with several hard throws. “Initially, it felt iffy, but it improved with each throw. Now, it feels great again,” Meadows noted.
His return offers a significant advantage to the Tigers, who have won 22 of their last 31 games, adding depth to a versatile team. Javier Báez, who stepped up in center field during Meadows’ absence, started at shortstop and later switched to second base in the series opener in Chicago. Hinch mentioned the flexibility Báez brings, hinting that his role could continue to shift as needed.
“I advised Javy not to discard his outfield glove,” Hinch stated. “He’ll still need it.”