Detroit Tigers option former No. 1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson to Triple-A Toledo
BOSTON — The Detroit Tigers have optioned first baseman Spencer Torkelson to Triple-A Toledo.
The Tigers informed Torkelson — the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft — of their decision after Sunday's game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, according to multiple sources who are not at liberty to discuss roster moves publicly.
Torkelson has been sent down to the Mud Hens for the second time in three MLB seasons. The 24-year-old is a career .218 hitter with a .683 OPS in 323 games, a span of 1,318 plate appearances.
In 2024, Torkelson is hitting .201 with four home runs, 16 walks and 56 strikeouts in 54 games, while being worth minus-5 defensive runs saved at first base.
EARLIER TODAY: Does Spencer Torkelson need demotion to Triple-A? This time, A.J. Hinch didn't say no
Before Sunday's game, manager A.J. Hinch suggested Torkelson could be demoted to Triple-A Toledo because of performance issues after not playing him in two of the last four games.
"I don't know," Hinch said. "I knew I was going to get asked the question when he sits two out of three days. We haven't talked a ton about things like that this morning. We're trying to find a way to win the game today. That's the No. 1 important thing."
COMING UP: Tigers promote Justyn-Henry Malloy from Triple-A Toledo for MLB debut
To replace Torkelson, the Tigers promoted outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy from Triple-A Toledo.
It's unclear how the Tigers will fill first base in Torkelson's absence, but several players — including outfielder Mark Canha, third baseman Gio Urshela and infielder Andy Ibáñez — have experience at first base in their MLB careers.
Torkelson went 3-for-37 (.081) with three walks and 13 strikeouts in his last 10 games, as part of an even worse 3-for-40 (.075) stretch that goes back to May 19. He went 0-for-16 (.000) with zero walks and nine strikeouts across his last four games.
He hit 31 home runs in the 2023 season.
This story will be updated.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers sending 1B Spencer Torkelson to Triple-A Toledo
