Steven

Moya

Moya was added to the 40-man roster in November after hitting .255/.296/.433 with 12 homers in 365 at-bats for Single-A Lakeland last year. He has ample power potential, and he should boost his homer total now that he’s out of the Florida State League, but because of a flawed approach at the plate -- he had a 106/18 K/BB ratio last year -- he’s a long shot to become a major league regular.

Moya, 22, hit .255/.296/.433 with 12 home runs and 55 RBI over 93 games this past season. He has issues with his plate discipline, but the Tigers didn’t want to risk leaving him exposed in the Rule 5 Draft.

Moya was up for a cup of coffee on Tuesday, but it was a very small cup of coffee and the Tigers optioned him back down Triple-A just a day later. In 89 at-bats with the Tigers in various spot duty, the outfielder has hit to a .258/.259/.517 triple-slash with 11 of his 23 hits going for extra bases.

Moya will fill the roster spot left vacant by the trade that sent veteran utilityman Mike Aviles to the Braves for Erick Aybar. Moya, 25, is a .252/.297/.462 career hitter in 128 plate appearances at the major league level. He’s doubtful to hold fantasy relevance.

Moya missed three straight games with right knee soreness. He’s batting seventh in his return against right-hander Tom Koehler.

Steven Moya will get a start in left field against the Rays’ Chris Archer. Upton is batting .318/.400/.409 over his last six games but was hitless Saturday. Jose Iglesias is also getting a breather, as Andrew Romine is handling shortstop.

Moya’s second walk led to the winning run in the 10th, though he was removed for a pinch-runner after drawing it. It was pretty stunning to see him walking; he had a 15/1 K/BB ratio in 54 plate appearances entering the day. Even in Triple-A, he struck out six times for every time he walked. Moya has big-time power, but his approach leaves a whole lot to be desired, which is why we doubt he’ll have lasting value in mixed leagues.

Moya fell awkwardly while losing a ball in the lights on Friday, but he says that’s not the cause of his knee soreness. He’s considered day-to-day. “Just a little soreness,” he said. “It was not related to that play.”

The move was made prior to Saturday’s game. Moya batted .281 (9-for-32) with two doubles and two RBI during his time with the big club and should get another chance later this summer.

Moya earns the promotion as J.D. Martinez hits the disabled list with a fractured elbow. In 32 at-bats at the major league level in 2016, the 24-year-old outfielder recorded nine hits, including a double.