LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers outfielder Steele Walker has been sidelined indefinitely with a fracture in his hand.
Walker, 26, was hit in the hand by a 90.5 mph changeup from Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Paul Fry in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game. The Tigers promoted him from minor-league spring training to participate as a reserve in the game.
“It’s really unfortunate for him,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “He was going to start to come over a few times (from minor-league camp). He’ll be out for the foreseeable future.”
JEFF SEIDEL: Tigers entering new age of baseball, but still welcome Jim Leyland, King of Old School
HE WANTS TO WIN: Tigers won’t guarantee Riley Greene as full-time leadoff hitter, center fielder
The Tigers acquired Walker — the No. 46 overall pick in the 2018 draft — from the San Francisco Giants in November for cash considerations. He made his MLB debut in June 2022 with the Texas Rangers and went 1-for-14 with two walks and four strikeouts in five games.
Walker also played 75 games at the Triple-A level for the Rangers and Giants, hitting .268 with nine home runs, 24 walks and 51 strikeouts. The left-handed hitter can play all three outfield positions but fits best in the corner spots.
He was expected to serve as depth in Triple-A Toledo.
Best news possible
Right-hander Reese Olson, who set the Double-A Erie strikeout record last season, went in for an MRI on Tuesday afternoon after reporting left abdominal soreness after Sunday’s bullpen.
The 23-year-old is healthy.
“The MRI came back with no strain, which is good,” Hinch said. “He’ll get reentered into camp and play catch and start to get himself back into normal activity.”
INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS: Tigers prospect Reese Olson looks to go from strikeout machine to MLB pitcher
KING OF THE HILL: Tigers’ Garrett Hill looks like fascinating bullpen arm with velocity, new slider
In 2022, Olson posted a 4.14 ERA with 38 walks and 168 strikeouts in 119⅔ innings across 26 games (25 starts) for the SeaWolves. He decreased his walks from 4.4 per nine innings in 2021 to 2.9 per nine in 2022 and increased his strikeouts from 9.8 per nine to 12.6 per nine.
World Baseball Classic updates
Two players from the Tigers’ big-league spring training will depart for the World Baseball Classic on Thursday: second baseman Jonathan Schoop (Team Netherlands) and Andy Ibáñez (Team Cuba).
They’re both competing in Pool A in Taichung, Taiwan, along with the Netherlands, Italy and Panama. Schoop and Ibáñez play against each other Wednesday in the first WBC game.
THE FULL LIST: Tigers have eight players slated for 2023 World Baseball Classic
WHAT HE BRINGS: Tigers’ Andy Ibáñez enters position battle in spring training after offseason tweaks
With Schoop and Ibanez leaving, outfielder Matt Vierling will receive infield reps for the first time in spring training games. Sometime soon, he is expected to start at third base and play some first base.
Catcher Julio E. Rodriguez — now the ninth WBC participant from the organization — is set to join Team Dominican Republic’s practice squad and catch bullpens for three or four days leading up to the WBC.
If the Dominican Republic needs an emergency third catcher because of an injury, the 25-year-old will join the active roster. He played 68 games for Double-A Springfield in the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization last season, hitting .252 with 11 home runs, 47 walks and 64 strikeouts.
Ramon Santiago, a minor-league infield coordinator, will be the third base coach for Team Dominican Republic. Andrew Graham, the Low-A Lakeland manager, will be the third base coach for Team Australia.
Kan Ikeda, the Tigers’ advance scouting manager, will be on staff with Team Japan. Bilingual media relations coordinator Carlos Guillen will be the public relations representative for Team Venezuela.
An excused absence
Top hitting prospect Colt Keith left spring training Wednesday morning with an “excused absence dealing with a family matter,” Hinch said. The 21-year-old third baseman has played three games. He is 1-for-4 with a double and two strikeouts.
Keith will return, but the timeline is unclear.
Free Press sports columnist Jeff Seidel contributed to this report.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.