Tigers place Zach McKinstry on IL, but call up .791 OPS top prospect

The Detroit Tigers are 10-9, and only a game back of the Minnesota Twins atop the AL Central. Fortunately, the team is on a winning streak, rattling off six in a row heading into their series against the Boston Red Sox.

It's a big four-game series up in Boston, and the Tigers will see the Tigers rely on a new face thanks to All-Star infielder Zack McKinstry landing on the injured list.

While the McKinstry news is tough, the Tigers announced that top prospect Hao-Yu Lee is being called up as his replacement. A top prospect for the Tigers, Lee is a fun call-up and will get a chance to start right away on Friday night.

Tigers call up Hao-Yu Lee amid unfortunate Zach McKinstry news

"The Tigers today placed infielder Zach McKinstry on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 16) with left hip/abdominal inflammation," the Tigers announced. "Infielder Hao-Yu Lee has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo."

Lee is coming up to the Major Leagues for the first time in his professional career, and he will wear number 50 for Detroit, play third base, and hit eighth for Detroit against Boston's Ranger Suarez.

While the loss of McKinstry stings, the Tigers will at least be able to get a look at Lee in the big leagues, another infield prospect who could make an immediate impact.

More: Red Sox never close on Astros’ Isaac Paredes trade

The 23-year-old was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in the Michael Lorenzen trade back in 2023, and has since been in the Tigers farm system working his way up to the big leagues.

He has a .791 OPS in his minor league career, though he's struggled a bit this season with a .509 OPS in nine games. And this past spring training wasn't too great either, with a .594 OPS in five games and 13 at-bats for Lee.

But the top infield prospect for the Tigers is getting a chance in the Majors, where he could find his groove and convince the Tigers to keep him in the lineup with a strong debut tonight against Suarez and the Red Sox.

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