Detroit Tigers outfielder Wenceel Pérez leaves game with left abdominal tightness
The Detroit Tigers could be without one of their key rookies.
Wenceel Pérez, a 24-year-old outfielder, exited Friday's game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park before the bottom of the fourth inning, replaced by Bligh Madris.
Pérez left the game with left abdominal tightness.
The severity of the injury is unknown.
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Before departing, Pérez struck out looking in the top of the fourth inning. He swung at just one of the six pitches in his second matchup with Giants left-hander Robbie Ray. He also drew a five-pitch walk — not swinging at any of those pitches — in the second inning.
Pérez, a switch-hitter with a contact-first profile, has a .242 batting average with nine home runs, 27 walks and 76 strikeouts across 97 games in the 2024 season, posting a .684 OPS. He owns a .143 batting average with four walks and 13 strikeouts in his last 15 games.
It's the first season of Pérez's MLB career.
In Friday's game, Pérez received a rare start in center field. After the injury, Madris entered the game as the right fielder, while Ryan Vilade shifted from right field to center field.
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 OF Wenceel Pérez leaves game with abdominal tightness
