Mikie

Mahtook

Mahtook did not receive an invitation to the major league side of spring training. The 31-year-old went hitless in 23 at-bats in the majors in 2019 and didn’t see any time in the big leagues in 2020.

Coaches Rob Thomson, Greg Brodzinski, and Jim Gott also tested positive and are not in camp. We already knew Kingery and Hunter were on the 10-day injured list, but it wasn’t clear if they actually had the virus or just interacted with someone who had it. They will have to stay away from the team until coming back with a pair of negative tests. It’s too soon to say whether this could impact their availability for the season. Mahtook was in camp with the Phillies this spring as a non-roster player.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that Mahtook can earn $850,000 if he claims a spot with the Phillies. The former first-round pick had 23 at-bats in 2019 with the Tigers and failed to record a hit. He then slashed .260/.357/.492 with Triple-A Toledo after being designated for assignment. Mahtook, 30, is nothing more than depth for an organization at this point in his career.

Mahtook got designated for assignment on Thursday and passed through waivers unclaimed. The 29-year-old outfielder was hitless with 11 strikeouts through 25 plate appearances to open the 2019 regular season.

This move comes as a bit of a shock, but Mahtook had zero hits and 11 strikeouts through 25 plate appearances this season and he batted just .202/.276/.359 over 250 plate appearances last year. JaCoby Jones has been activated off the injured list in a corresponding transaction and will serve as the Tigers’ primary center fielder moving forward.

Mikie Mahtook will also get the day off. Gordon Beckham is at third base and batting eighth versus Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer, with Dustin Peterson covering center field and hitting seventh.

Mahtook is hitless through 16 at-bats to begin the year and could use a day to clear his head. Dustin Peterson will get the start in center field.

Mahtook wasn’t supposed to be a regular this year, but he’s been needed to fill in for the injured JaCoby Jones in center field. The sooner the Tigers can return him to a reserve gig, the better off they’ll be.

Mahtook figured to be a fourth outfielder initially, but now he’s set to start in center field with JaCoby Jones set to miss some time. The Tigers are hoping he’ll hit more like he did in 2017 (.276/.330/.457 in 348 AB) than in 2018 (.202/.276/.359 in 223 AB). We’re not particularly optimistic.

This game featured a lot of minor league hitters and pitchers, but Mahtook did his best work against a legitimate major league reliever, turning around a Bud Norris offering in the fifth inning. It was his third homer of the spring. Mahtook has struggled to hit for average in his MLB career, but he’s got some pop in his bat and the Tigers seem committed to starting him in center field this year. He’s an AL-only consideration.