Detroit Tigers Name Zach McKinstry Shortstop Against Texas Rangers

DETROIT — Zach McKinstry will start at shortstop for the Detroit Tigers Sunday afternoon as they wrap up their series against the Texas Rangers. The game, set for 1:40 p.m., comes after Tigers regular shortstop Trey Sweeney struggled on Saturday, going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and suffering an injury during a diving attempt.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch noted that Sweeney hasn’t taken a day off in a long time. ‘Ideally, you kind of wait for a different matchup,’ he explained. ‘Not that Eovaldi is a good matchup for anybody, but we’re facing all righties.’ The Tigers are set to face right-handed pitchers throughout their current homestand.

Besides Sweeney, catcher Tomas Nido, infielder Andy Ibanez, and outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy will be available off the bench. Tigers right-hander Reese Olson (4-2, 3.03 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (3-2, 2.03 ERA). Olson recently threw 5 2/3 shutout innings against the Angels, allowing only three hits.

Eovaldi has excelled this season, striking out 53 batters and walking only four in 48 2/3 innings. The matchup highlights an important series for both teams as they vie for position in the league.

This series also presents a chance for the Tigers to capture the spotlight in Detroit ahead of summer, with warm weather and large crowds expected.