Gio Urshela Hits Walkoff Blast To Get Tigers Past Dodgers On Saturday
Detroit Tigers third baseman Gio Urshela hit a walkoff two-run homerun in the bottom of the 10th inning on Saturday to secure the Tigers' 11-9 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. After a five-run bottom of the ninth, Urshela came in to replace Justyn-Henry Malloy in the lineup. In the bottom of the 10th with one out and a runner at third, Urshela launched a 81.5 MPH sweeper into the left field stands to give the righty his fourth HR of the season. The walkoff shot will certainly provide a great boost of confidence for Urshela who has been having a subpar season at the plate and was recently moved from third base to first base to provide Matt Vierling and Zach McKinstry more time at the hot corner. With Saturday appearing to be a day of rest, expect Urshela to be back in the lineup on Sunday against the Dodgers, who have not named a starter as of yet.
Gio Urshela Back From Injured List And Starting Tuesday
The Detroit Tigers reinstated infielder Gio Urshela (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned outfielder Akil Baddoo to Triple-A Toledo after Monday night's game in a corresponding move. Urshela is starting at third base and batting sixth for the Tigers in his first game back on Tuesday against the visiting Miami Marlins and left-hander Ryan Weathers. Urshela has never faced Weathers in his career but was hitting .298/.310/.333 with no homers and six RBI in 57 at-bats before landing on the injured list on April 20 with a strained hamstring. The 32-year-old should return to see most of the playing time at third base in Detroit, making him useful in some deep-mixed leagues. Urshela went 5-for-8 with an RBI and two runs in three minor-league rehab games. He doesn't have a ton of power but makes plenty of contact.
Detroit Tigers third baseman Gio Urshela (hamstring) ran the bases and took batting practice ahead of Tuesday's game against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians, and he will do so again on Wednesday. If all goes well, Urshela could begin a minor-league rehab assignment sometime soon after the Tigers return home on Friday for the start of a three-game series with the Houston Astros. Although the 32-year-old defensive-minded infielder was hitting .298 (17-for-57) before going on the 10-day injured list due to a strained right hamstring, he has only six RBI, two extra-base hits, and four runs scored through 18 games (57 at-bats) as Detroit's primary third baseman and doesn't need to be stashed in most fantasy leagues. Matt Vierling is worth a look in AL-only formats in the meantime, however, slashing .286/.321/.510 with two home runs, one double, two triples, and seven RBI over his last 49 ABs (15 games).
Third baseman Gio Urshela (hamstring) is traveling with the Detroit Tigers for their six-game road trip as he gets closer to a return from injury. Urshela is going through hitting and defensive drills, while also continuing to run as he looks to return from a right-hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since April 19. He's currently on the 10-day injured list. Before the injury, Urshela was the Tigers' everyday third baseman and was slashing .298/.310/.333 with six RBI. In place of Urshela, Detroit has been starting Matt Vierling at third base. Once Urshela returns from injury, he will resume being the everyday third baseman, but despite that, he is under 5 percent owned in Yahoo and ESPN fantasy leagues.
Detroit Tigers third baseman Gio Urshela (hamstring) was cleared to resume baseball activities on Tuesday. After suffering a Grade 1 right hamstring strain in Friday's win over the Minnesota Twins, Urshela was able to do some straight-line running drills on Tuesday. The fact that the 32-year-old defensive-minded infielder is already progressing from the injury means he should be able to return to the Tigers in early May. Although Urshela was hitting for a .298 batting average (17-for-57) before going down, he has just two extra-base hits and six RBI over 18 games in Detroit's weak lineup and is not a recommended stash in the majority of fantasy leagues. Utility man Matt Vierling will handle the lion's share of the reps at third base until Urshela is back healthy, but fantasy managers can do better on waiver wires.
The Detroit Tigers placed infielder Gio Urshela (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with a right-hamstring strain and recalled infielder Buddy Kennedy from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move. Urshela was removed from Friday night's win over the Minnesota Twins with right-hamstring tightness after running to first base and will now miss at least the next 10 days. Kennedy will provide infield depth for the Tigers in the meantime, but Matt Vierling is the most likely candidate to see most of the playing time at the hot corner in Detroit until Urshela is able to return. Vierling is at third and batting fifth on Saturday against Twins right-hander Bailey Ober. Although Urshela doesn't have a homer this year, he was hitting .298 (17-for-57) with six RBI at the time of his injury on Friday night.
Gio Urshela Hasn't Locked Down Starting Duties At Third Base
When the Detroit Tigers signed infielder Gio Urshela to a one-year, $1.5 million deal late in February, having him serve as the primary third baseman in 2024 always made the most sense but the Tigers didn't make any declarations about his playing time because they needed to evaluate his on-field performance in his return from a broken pelvis last year. With eight days until Opening Day on March 28 against the Chicago White Sox, Urshela hasn't locked down starting duties at the hot corner as he competes with Matt Vierling, Zach McKinstry and Andy Ibanez. Vierling was projected to be the primary third baseman before the team signed Urshela, only to move back to his previous role as an outfielder. Urshela is the best defender, but he hasn't been hitting for power or drawing walks on offense. Urshela and Vierling -- both right-handed hitters -- are at the top of the pecking order in the internal plan for a primary third baseman.
Free-agent infielder Gio Urshela and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal on Thursday, according to sources. The 32-year-old veteran should help the Tigers at third base and can also play the outfield and at first base. His ability to hit left-handers suits what the Tigers have been seeking over the winter. A fractured pelvis limited Urshela to 62 games with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023, and he hit .299/.329/.374 with 24 RBI in 228 plate appearances before the injury. The veteran Colombian could now be the favorite for most of the playing time at the hot corner in Detroit, at least against left-handers. In his career against southpaws, he's hit .290/.328/.445 with 17 homers and 67 RBI in 682 plate appearances. Urshela provides little power but could carry a strong average for fantasy managers in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues because of his high contact rate.
The Boston Red Sox are among the teams interested in adding free-agent infielder Gio Urshela, according to a source. In addition to Boston, the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, and Miami Marlins have been looking at Urshela. His market has been slow to develop this offseason. The 32-year-old veteran is best known for three strong years with the Yankees from 2019-21. He's seen most of his appearances (585 of 643) at third base, where the Red Sox already have Rafael Devers. If signed, the Red Sox likely would view Urshela as a right-handed option at first base as an upgrade over Bobby Dalbec while providing insurance for Devers at the hot corner. Urshela fractured his pelvis in June and played only 62 games for the Angels in 2023.
Free-agent third baseman Gio Urshela has received contract offers from both the Los Angeles Angels and Miami Marlins. It was reported on Tuesday that Urshela was receiving interest from the Yankees, Mets, and Marlins but the Angels, Urshela's 2023 team, seemingly has significant interest in retaining him. The 32-year-old suffered a fractured pelvis last season and was limited to just 62 games. He hit a healthy .299 in that time but his power cratered as he slugged just two homers alongside a .288 xwOBA across 228 trips to the plate. However, Sanchez hit .285 with 13 home runs and 27 doubles with the 2022 Twins, production that led to a 119 wRC+ that grades out 19% superior to the league average. He is being viewed a significant bounce-back option for several clubs. He doesn't generate the type of power fantasy owners should be seeking at third base.
