Christin

Stewart

Hernandez is the only one among the group that comes as a bit of a surprise, as he was expected to crack the Opening Day bullpen in a multi-inning reliever role -- perhaps even piggybacking Rich Hill or Garrett Whitlock to begin the season. There’s no doubt that he’ll see time with the big league club during the 2022 campaign.

Stewart, 27, played exclusively in Triple-A this year while slashing .254/.339/.538 with 21 homers over 89 games. He’s had mixed results in the majors so far and will mostly function as depth for Boston.

Stewart cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week. The Tigers will be happy to keep him around in the organization as depth.

Stewart was a supplemental first-round pick of the Tigers back in 2015 and started in left field for them on Opening Day last July, but the 27-year-old now hits the waiver wire having registered a career .225/.300/.376 batting line through 157 major league games. Derek Holland will fill the vacant 40-man roster spot.

Stewart has batted just .171 with a .550 OPS over 91 plate appearances this season. He’s starting in left field Friday.

The corresponding 28-man roster move will be announced on Wednesday. Stewart has batted just .171 with a .550 OPS over 91 plate appearances this season with Detroit.

Stewart took Brewers starter Josh Lindblom deep to right-center field in the third inning. It was his third long ball of the condensed 2020 campaign. He also singled in the sixth inning to record his first multi-hit effort since August 6. The uber-toolsy 26-year-old outfielder has been trapped in a season-long funk at the dish, hitting .185/.250/.369 with three home runs and eight RBI across 73 plate appearances. He’s talented enough to warrant a spot on fantasy manager’s radar screens in AL-only formats.

Stewart launched a two-run shot off of Cubs’ starter Alec Mills in the seventh inning, trimming the Tigers’ deficit to 6-3. It was his only hit in four at-bats on the night. The 26-year-old has been a disaster offensively this season, slashing a cringe-inducing .158/.226/.298 with a pair of homers and five RBI. He should be avoided for fantasy purposes in all but the deepest of AL-only formats.

Both teams scored all of their runs in the third inning, with Jonathan Schoop also hitting a two-run homer for the Tigers during the frame. Stewart’s homer is his lone hit in 10 at-bats this season, and he’s already struck out seven times. The Tigers need to figure out if he belongs in their future plans, so he’ll get plenty of playing time. He doesn’t help his case with his glove, so he’s going to have to hit.

In a related move, Christin Stewart was scratched from the lineup. Jones was dealing with a sore back, but apparently is feeling well enough to play against Kansas City on Monday.