Rookie Riley Greene, projected to start in center field for the Detroit Tigers, has a fracture in his right foot and will miss the start of the season.
The injury occurred Friday when he fouled a Gerrit Cole pitch off the inside part of his foot in the team’s 6-2 loss to the New York Yankees.
Manager AJ Hinch told reporters Saturday that Greene is wearing a protective boot and that surgery isn’t currently planned. No timeline for his return was given, and Hinch said he will be re-evaluated in a few weeks.
“I feel for him,” Hinch said. “He was having a great spring, he was trending all in the right direction. He’s super energetic, great kid, great attitude. He’s taking this news as positive as he can. … Truly disappointed for him and our organization.”
MLB.com lists Greene, 21, as the No. 5 prospect in baseball. In 2021, he hit .301 with 146 hits, 24 home runs and 84 RBIs over 124 games at Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo.
This spring, Greene hit .429 (9 for 21) over 11 games with three doubles, two triples, two homers and four RBIs.
Victor Reyes, Willi Castro and Eric Haase could be in line to replace Greene.
–Field Level Media