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Meadows was informed Tuesday that he will make Detroit's Opening Day roster, with Wenceel Perez optioned to Triple-A Toledo, Jack Vita of MLB.com reports.
Top prospect Kevin McGonigle had an impressive spring performance, and the Tigers rewarded him with an Opening Day roster spot. That squeezed Perez out of a spot, with Meadows hanging around for now. Meadows looks like the top option in center field, but with McGonigle now in the fold and expected to play shortstop, Javier Baez will likely see more time in the outfield. That development could ultimately push Meadows to more of a bench role, particularly if he can't get his bat going.
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Tigers' Parker Meadows: Yet to get going in spring training
Rotowire
Across 12 Grapefruit League contests, Meadows has gone 4-for-30 with 10 strikeouts.
This was seen as an important spring for Meadows, who sported a career-low .621 OPS in 58 regular-season games last year as he dealt with several injuries, and so far he hasn't done much to impress. With top prospect Max Clark starting to knock on the door of the majors, Meadows' hold on the center field role is not particularly firm. Javier Baez and Wenceel Perez could also push Meadows from the current MLB roster if Meadows doesn't snap out of his slump.
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Tigers' Parker Meadows: Could get pushed in 2026
Rotowire
With top prospect Max Clark potentially set to reach Triple-A this year, Meadows may get pushed out of his starting role in center field unless he produces more at the plate, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Meadows is considered a strong defensive center fielder, but he's never been able to produce consistent offense at the MLB level. He slashed just .215/.291/.330 in 58 regular-season games last year while missing significant time due to a nerve issue in his throwing arm along with a quad strain. Clark is not yet on Detroit's 40-man roster, which gives Meadows a bit more wiggle room for now, though the former could push the issue if he gets off to a hot start in the minors. For now, Meadows looks like Detroit's top option in center, but his fantasy value will remain depressed unless he starts to perform better at the plate.
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Tigers' Parker Meadows: Demoted to nine spot
Rotowire
Meadows will start in center field and bat ninth in Thursday's Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Guardians.
The Guardians are sending righty Slade Cecconi to the bump, but the left-handed-swinging Meadows has nonetheless been pushed from the leadoff spot all the way to the bottom of the batting order. Meadows has gone 1-for-8 with a 1:3 BB:K in the first two games of the series. Gleyber Torres -- who typically bats second -- will hit leadoff for the Tigers in Thursday's elimination game.
Meadows will start in center field and bat leadoff in Friday's game versus the Marlins.
It's the first time since June 14 that Meadows has occupied the leadoff spot. Each of his first five starts back from the injured list have come from the bottom-third of the lineup, but he's earned a move up by going 7-for-15 with two home runs and a 3:1 BB:K.
Meadows went 3-for-5 with a home run, two total runs scored and three RBI in Tuesday's 12-2 win over the Yankees.
Meadows hit his second home run in his last three games and fourth of the season in the fifth inning with a runner on against New York starter Will Warren. The outfielder added an RBI single in the seventh. While Meadows is slashing just .216/.291/.351 overall this season, he's been better lately with a .276/.364/.552 line across his last 10 contests, which date back to July due to him missing time with a strained right quad. The 25-year-old should continue to start regularly in center because of his strong defensive play, and increased production at the plate would be an added bonus.
