Parker Meadows exits Detroit Tigers game early with hamstring injury
CINCINNATI — Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows suffered a right hamstring injury in the eighth inning of Sunday's 5-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
The severity of the injury is unclear, but Meadows seems likely to end up on the injured list.
"I don't love what I heard from the get-go in talking to him and our trainers," manager A.J. Hinch said. "We'll get him evaluated. It's something with the hamstring. That's always alarming."
The Tigers recalled Meadows from Triple-A Toledo before Friday's series opener against the Reds. In three games, the 24-year-old hit .364 (4-for-11) with one home run, one walk and two strikeouts across 12 plate appearances.
HE CHANGES EVERYTHING: How Tigers' Parker Meadows returning impacts other players, including Matt Vierling
Meadows suffered the hamstring injury with two outs in the eighth inning, but not before hitting a middle-middle slider from right-handed reliever Alexis Díaz past the second baseman and into right field for an RBI single.
His ground-ball single increased the Tigers' lead to 5-1.
After that, Meadows tried to steal second base, but he was thrown out by Reds catcher Austin Wynns, with second baseman Santiago Espinal applying the tag.
"He looked a little uncomfortable," Hinch said.
Meadows didn't immediately stand up after the play, a sign something wasn't right. He walked off the field with Hinch and head athletic trainer Ryne Eubanks.
THE RETURN: Parker Meadows returns to Tigers after swing adjustment in Triple-A Toledo
In 2024, Meadows is hitting .131 with three home runs, 12 walks and 34 strikeouts in 35 games for the Tigers, including 32 games from March 28 through May 6 before a performance-related demotion to Triple-A Toledo.
The Tigers sent him down with the goal of getting his swing on time for fastballs.
Meadows, who made a swing adjustment with his hands, hit .298 with eight homers, 28 walks and 42 strikeouts in 47 games with the Mud Hens to earn his way back to the Tigers, replacing fellow outfielder Akil Baddoo.
[ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ]
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Parker Meadows leaves Detroit Tigers game early with leg injury
