Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows (shoulder) will miss at least the first month of the season due to his shoulder injury, according to the latest update from manager A.J. Hinch.
Parker Meadows recently underwent a nerve conduction test in Phoenix. He will need at least four more weeks of rest, A.J. Hinch said.
Meadows can continue doing light baseball activities but isn’t able to throw
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) March 22, 2025
Meadows was a trendy breakout name this preseason but will have the start of his season delayed. The 25-year-old lefty hit .244 in his 82 games last year with nine home runs and nine stolen bases and was expected to be the Tigers’ primary center fielder this season.
He still has breakout potential, but you’ll need an alternate plan for the start of the season. He only played one spring training game before starting to deal with this issue with the musculocutaneous nerve in his upper right arm. The injury prevents him from throwing, but he can do other light baseball activities.
If the Tigers place Meadows on the 10-day IL, he could return fairly quickly once he is given the all-clear in four weeks, but if the team opts to put him on the 60-day IL, he would be out through the end of May. Keep an eye on the actual move when it becomes official.
Fantasy baseball impact
Besides derailing a possible breakout season for Meadows, this latest injury news opens the door for Wenceel Perez to start the season as a regular in the Tigers’ outfield, especially with Matt Vierling (shoulder) also on IL.
Perez hit .242 in 112 games with the Tigers last season, adding nine homers, nine stolen bases and a .299 wOBA. He showed more speed in the minors and could be more aggressive on the basepaths, making him a name to watch in DFS and AL-only fantasy baseball leagues.
