Tigers swap out outfielders, bringing Parker Meadows back from Toledo

The Detroit Tigers have swapped out outfielders for the final series of their longest road trip of the season.

Parker Meadows was recalled from Triple-A Toledo and will start Friday night in Cincinnati as the Tigers open a three-game series against the Reds.

He takes the spot of Akil Baddoo, who was optioned to Toledo.

Meadows, 24, started the season on the Tigers’ Opening Day roster but was demoted on May 7 amid a prolonged slump. Meadows was rated the best center fielder in baseball by Defensive Runs Saved but was hitting just .096 (7-for-73). He had 11 walks and 32 strikeouts (37.6 percent of plate appearances).

He’s hitting .298 (.904 OPS) in 221 plate appearances with the Mud Hens with 10 doubles, three triples and eight home runs.

Baddoo was called up on May 29 to take the spot of Kerry Carpenter, who went on the IL with a back fracture. He’s gotten only sporadic playing time, going 7-for-53 (.132) with a double, two triples and two home runs in 22 games.

Baddoo was acquired by the Tigers in the Rule 5 Draft and had an electric rookie campaign in 2021 before enduring a frustrating sophomore slump in 2022. He failed to make the Opening Day roster last season but was called up in April and spent most of the year in the big leagues. He showed improved power, slugging 11 homers in 357 plate appearances. He also made strides defensively in left field.

He was one of the Mud Hens’ best hitters in 2024 after failing to make the Tigers’ Opening Day roster out of spring training.

TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (40)

Players on the active roster are in bold.

Left-handed pitchers (5): Andrew Chafin, Tyler Holton, Easton Lucas, Tarik Skubal, Joey Wentz.

Right-handed pitchers (15): Beau Brieske, Mason Englert, Alex Faedo, Jack Flaherty, Wilmer Flores**, Jason Foley, Alex Lange**, Kenta Maeda, Matt Manning, Shelby Miller, Casey Mize*, Keider Montero, Reese Olson, Will Vest, Brendan White**.

Catchers (3): Dillon Dingler, Carson Kelly, Jake Rogers.

Infielders (8): Javier Báez*, Andy Ibañez, Colt Keith, Ryan Kreidler, Eddys Leonard**, Zach McKinstry, Spencer Torkelson, Gio Urshela.

Outfielders (9): Akil Baddoo, Mark Canha, Kerry Carpenter*, Riley Greene, Justyn-Henry Malloy, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Perez, Matt Vierling, Ryan Vilade.

*On 10- or 15-day injured list.

**On minor-league 7-day injured list

Right-handed pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long (Tommy John surgery) is on the 60-day injured list and does not count against the 40-man roster.