The Detroit Tigers reinstated rookie outfielder Akil Baddoo from the injured list Monday night, setting the stage for his return to in-game action Tuesday in St. Louis for the start of a two-game series with the Cardinals.
Baddoo has been sidelined since an Aug. 10 collision in the outfield in Baltimore with fellow outfielder Derek Hill, who returned from his stint on the injured list Saturday in Toronto. The 23-year-old Baddoo went through concussion protocol before competing in four rehab assignment games with Triple-A Toledo.
To make room for Baddoo’s return, starting pitcher Drew Hutchison was designated for assignment.
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Selected in December’s Rule 5 draft, Baddoo has put himself in the American League Rookie of the Year conversation. Before the injury, he played 93 games and posted a .267 batting average, 18 doubles, six triples, 10 home runs and 45 RBIs. He also has 14 stolen bases in 18 attempts, with 31 walks to 89 strikeouts.
On Aug. 18, the Tigers sent Baddoo to Triple-A Toledo for a rehab assignment.
Baddoo finished 2-for-14 (.143) with one double, two RBIs, four walks and five strikeouts over four games for the Mud Hens. He smacked a walk-off single to center field with two outs and the bases loaded in Sunday’s 9-8 win over Triple-A Indianapolis.
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Hutchison started two games for the Tigers, his first MLB appearances since the 2018 season. He allowed seven runs (two earned) over six innings, giving him a 3.00 ERA, with four walks and two strikeouts.
The right-hander pitched Sunday — his 31st birthday — against the Toronto Blue Jays in an 11-inning 5-3 victory at Rogers Centre. A six-year MLB veteran, Hutchison allowed one unearned run on four hits and one walk over 4⅓ innings.
Evan Petzold is a sports reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.