Tigers activate Zach McKinstry and DFA a Zack to make room on MLB roster

The Detroit Tigers are trying to keep pace with the Cleveland Guardians for the top spot in the American League, and they've been dealing with some bad news lately, with Tarik Skubal landing on the injured list.

That was a massive blow for this Tigers team, though the next day, after such a brutal blow, the Tigers did get some good news on the injury front.

According to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, the Tigers have activated Zack McKinstry, and to make room on the MLB roster, the Tigers DFA'd another "Zack," a former New York Yankees veteran infielder.

Tigers DFA a 'Zack' to activate Zach McKinstry 

"It's official: the Tigers activated INF Zack McKinstry off of the 10-day injured list," McCosky reports. "INF Zack Short has been designated for assignment."

The Tigers are bringing one Zach back, while cutting ties with another Zack, to help bolster their offense after losing Skubal for around the next two months or so.

Short had a .000 batting average across three at-bats for the Tigers this season, though he hit .294 with the New York Yankees in the preseason; he didn't get much of a chance in the big leagues with the Tigers this year.

MORE: Roman Anthony might’ve been overhyped for Red Sox

While Short might not have been a factor in the Tigers' offense this year, McKinstry was a big contributor last year as an All-Star with a .771 OPS and solid defense.

Getting McKinstry back is some great news for the Tigers, as he will look to improve upon his .209 average and .587 OPS to begin the year now that he's back from a hip issue that's sidelined him for some time this year.

This roster move is an interesting one, as, beyond the activation of Zach McKinstry, the Tigers DFA'd a different "Zack" by cutting ties with Zack Short. It's a Zach-for-Zack roster move, as the Tigers improve their offense in a big way at the start of May.

More MLB news:

• Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award
• Aaron Judge makes baseball history never done before by Yankees player
• Reds' Elly De La Cruz makes baseball history not done in last 126 years
• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Pete Crow-Armstrong is still struggling to hit well for the Cubs