The Detroit Tigers are bringing outfielder Daz Cameron to the big leagues in an effort to continue the rebuilding process and make a move into the playoffs.
The Tigers announced Wednesday that Cameron has been recalled from the alternate training site at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, where he has been with the reserve squad since summer camp broke at the end of July. He is the organization’s No. 7 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
Cameron, 23, will be the 10th Tiger to make his MLB debut in 2020, following Beau Burrows (July 27), Anthony Castro (July 27), Kyle Funkhouser (July 27), Rony Garcia (July 28), Isaac Paredes (Aug. 17), Tarik Skubal (Aug. 18), Casey Mize (Aug. 19), Derek Hill (Sept. 4) and Sergio Alcantara (Sept. 6).
Already a member of the 40-man roster, Cameron replaces outfielder Christin Stewart, who was demoted to the alternate training site Tuesday after striking out looking on consecutive mid-80s fastballs in the strike zone with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Through 33 games, Stewart, 26, had a .171 batting average, three homers and nine RBIs.
“He’s not swinging,” manager Ron Gardenhire said Tuesday. “He’s just not getting hits. “We all think this guy can hit, so he’ll get plenty of at-bats down in Toledo. We’re making a corresponding move, and I think that’ll be a fun thing for Tiger fans. You’ll have to wait and see.”
Cameron played 120 games for Triple-A Toledo last season, hitting .214 with 22 doubles, six triples, 13 homers and 43 RBIs; he stole 17 bases. In 2018, he hit .285 in 53 games for Double-A Erie.
He missed summer camp in July with an undisclosed injury and was placed on the 10-day injured list, along with Skubal, Paredes, Alcantara and right-hander Alex Faedo — three of whom (Skubal, Paredes, Alcantara) confirmed they tested positive for COVID-19.
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He was selected in the 2015 draft by the Houston Astros at No. 37 overall. He was traded to the Tigers in August 2017 with right-hander Franklin Perez and catcher Jake Rogers in exchange for Justin Verlander.
His father is former center fielder Mike Cameron, a three-time Gold Glove winner. He played 17 years in the majors for eight teams, hitting .249 with 278 homers and 968 RBIs in 1,955 games. He stole 297 bases.
Evan Petzold is a sports reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. The Free Press has started a new digital subscription model. Here’s how you can gain access to our most exclusive Detroit Tigers content.