Matt Vierling, Andy Ibanez, Zach McKinstry To Play Third Base
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said the team is planning for "optionality" at third base in 2024 between Matt Vierling, Andy Ibanez and Zach McKinstry. Prospect Colt Keith, who signed a long-term contract extension last weekend, will play second base and is expected to be an everyday contributor. The 27-year-old Vierling should be the primary third baseman coming out of spring training. The Tigers moved Vierling from the outfield to the hot corner in August of 2023. He's unlikely to be an above-average contributor on offense without hitting for more power. Ibanez, 30, responded to a bad start last year by hitting .294 with 10 homers in his final 87 games. Ibanez, who hits right-handed, and McKinstry set up as natural platoon partners at third base, but McKinstry struggled at the plate in 2023. Prospect Jace Jung could become the team's regular third baseman by the end of the 2024 season.
Detroit Tigers utility player Zach McKinstry is not in the starting lineup Monday when the club takes on the Texas Rangers and left-hander Andrew Heaney. Typically the Tigers' leadoff man against right-handed pitching, McKinstry will sit against the southpaw as he's hitting just .143 without an extra-base hit across 13 plate appearances versus lefties this season, albeit with four walks in that time. Additionally, McKinstry has struggled mightily in the month of June, hitting .167 with a .454 OPS across 82 trips to the plate for the month. The righty-swinging Matt Vierling will hit leadoff on Monday while Andy Ibanez takes over in right field in McKinstry's stead against the Rangers.
Detroit Tigers utility man Zach McKinstry is leading off Monday's game against Nathan Eovaldi and the Texas Rangers. It's a tough matchup, but the 28-year-old has been superb with the bat over 44 games, slashing .295/.409/.451 with four home runs, 23 runs, 10 RBI, and 10 steals, and hit .391 over the last week. McKinstry's production came almost out of nowhere after he was drafted in the 33rd round back in 2016, and he owned a .208 average and .652 OPS across his previous three seasons in the big leagues. If he's still available on the waiver wire, fantasy managers should think about adding him to their roster.
Detroit Tigers utility man Zach McKinstry is leading off on Saturday to take on Bryce Miller and the Seattle Mariners. The 28-year-old has now led off 12 of the past 16 games, and rightfully so, as he's slashing .280/.362/.415 with two homers, 13 runs, six RBI, and five stolen bases over 31 games. McKinstry has never been a fantasy option in his previous three seasons at the big-league level, but if he continues producing at the top of the order, he can be a sneaky waiver-wire option for fantasy managers in deep leagues due to his speed, average, and run scoring.
The Detroit Tigers acquired utilityman Zach McKinstry Monday from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for relief pitcher Carlos Guzman. The 27-year-old is out of Minor League options, so the Tigers are expected to carry him on their Opening Day roster. Right-handed pitcher Freddy Pacheco (elbow) was recalled from Triple-A Toledo and placed on the 60-day injured list with a right elbow sprain in a corresponding move. McKinstry only slashed .199/.273/.361 in 185 plate appearances with the Dodgers and Cubs last season, but he played second, third, shortstop, and outfield. While he may serve a useful role for the Cubs, he can be avoided in fantasy leagues.
The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned utility man Zach McKinstry and infielder Andy Burns to minor league camp on Tuesday. McKinstry slashed .286/.375/.357 over 16 plate appearances this spring. He saw a lot of action in the majors last year, appearing in 60 games and hitting .215/.263/.405 with seven home runs, 29 RBI and 19 runs. There's a good chance we'll see him back in the majors this year when the injury bug inevitably strikes the Dodgers again. Burns, meanwhile, hit two home runs this spring, but also struck out in eight of his 15 at-bats.
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Zach McKinstry has been recalled from the minors on Wednesday. He will add some additional position player flexibility down the stretch of the season. The 26-year-old got off to a red-hot start to the season, but has struggled as of late. Since his return in May, McKinstry is slashing .217/.265/.408 with 19 runs scored, seven home runs, 29 RBI and one stolen base. He'll be nice depth for the Dodgers, but unlikely to make an impact in fantasy formats.
Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman/outfielder Zach McKinstry was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com. The move was made to make room for relief pitcher Darien Nunez, who was activated from the 10-day injured list. McKinstry got off to a good start at the plate this year, slashing .259/.309/.455 with five home runs, one steal, 26 RBI and 15 runs scored over his first 38 games. However since the beginning of July, McKinstry is slashing .111/.149/.289 with two home runs, three RBI and four runs scored over his last 21 games. Managers can go ahead and drop him in any redraft format.
Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman/outfielder Zach McKinstry went 2-for-4 with a grand slam in Sunday's victory versus the Chicago Cubs. McKinstry blasted his grand slam off of Adbert Alzolay in the bottom of the first inning. McKinstry returned from the injured list on May 29 and has mostly struggled in that time, but he had two home runs this weekend. McKinstry also got three starts for the Dodgers this weekend and he could remain in the lineup if his bat stays hot. McKinstry is now hitting .259 with five home runs and 26 RBI. Without a clear path to playing every day, McKinstry should only be considered in deeper leagues for now and managers should monitor his results and playing time for now.
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Zach McKinstry went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's victory versus the Chicago Cubs. McKinstry took Jake Arrieta deep in his first at-bat and that would give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead at the time. McKinstry entered the contest in a big slump and hasn't been playing regularly since returning from the 10-day injured list on May 29. McKinstry is now hitting .248 with four home runs and 22 RBI. With his limited role, McKinstry is best used as a DFS option and he can be avoided in most formats for now.
Andy Ibáñez
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