2 weeks agoDetroit Tigers outfielder
Wenceel Perez (back) received a cortisone injection in his back. However, the team expressed optimism and expect the 25-year-old to be ready for Opening Day. Perez has been dealing with lower-back tightness over the past two weeks. Fantasy managers should monitor his status but it appears the injury is not overly serious, given Detroit's optimism. While Perez remains sidelined for the time being,
Riley Greene should continue to see opportunities in center field. However, once Perez is cleared for action, he will likely have a starting role in the everyday lineup as
Parker Meadows (arm) and
Matt Vierling (shoulder) are both expected to miss Opening Day. Last summer, Perez made his MLB debut and held a .242/.300/.383 line with nine home runs and nine stolen bases across 112 contests. He will have short-term value in deeper formats while he holds a spot in the starting nine.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chris McCosky
1 month agoDetroit Tigers second baseman/outfielder
Wenceel Perez is set to see increased opportunities in the outfield with
Matt Vierling (shoulder) and
Parker Meadows (biceps) sidelined. Vierling is dealing with a right shoulder injury and is to undergo further evaluation. Meadows is dealing with inflammation but did not suffer any structural damage. The 25-year-old is likely to be cleared for baseball activities in the coming days. However, for the time being, Perez could have an increased role in camp. Last season, Perez logged 105 of his starts in the outfield. However, he spent most of his time at the keystone in the minor leagues. Across his first 112 games in the majors, Perez posted a .242/.300/.383 line. He hit 12 doubles, nine home runs, and swiped nine bags. Fantasy managers should expect Perez to operate as a depth option during the regular season and only have value in deeper formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jason Beck
6 months agoDetroit Tigers second baseman
Wenceel Perez will start on the bench for Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Thursday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park. In two of the three games of the ALDS to this point, Perez has gone 1-for-5 at the plate. With Perez out on Thursday,
Matt Vierling will start in right field and will bat third, with
Zach McKinstry playing third base and batting seventh against Guardians right-hander
Tanner Bibee. Both Vierling and McKinstry have decent history against Bibee. Vierling has gone 3-for-11 (.273) against him with two home runs, four RBI and one strikeout, while McKinstry has gone 5-for-15 (.333) with two doubles, two RBI and a walk against Bibee. Vierling will be the more attractive DFS play near the top of the order. So far in the postseason this fall, he has just four hits in 18 at-bats with a double, two RBI and seven strikeouts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Tigers
6 months agoDetroit Tigers rookie second baseman
Wenceel Perez is back in the starting lineup for Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday at Comerica Park against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians and right-hander
Alex Cobb, playing right field and batting fifth.
Zach McKinstry will start on the bench in this one. Perez supplied two hits and a run scored in the Game 1 loss to Cleveland on Saturday and didn't get the start in the Game 2 win on Monday. The 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter hit .242/.300/.383 with a below-average .683 OPS, nine home runs, 37 RBI and nine stolen bases in his first 112 major-league games in 2024. Perez did not face Cobb at all this year but was much more productive against right-handers as a lefty hitter this year, batting .251 (76-for-303) with eight of his nine home runs against them. He'll be a low-upside DFS sleeper for Wednesday's full slate of playoff action.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Tigers
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