MLB Game Preview - Detroit at Texas
Fri Aug 2, 2019 8:05 PM EDT

MIL
2
CHC
6
F
NYM
4
PIT
8
F
CHW
4
PHI
3
F(15)
BOS
2
NYY
4
F
TOR
5
BAL
2
F
LAA
3
CLE
7
F
CIN
5
ATL
2
F
DET
4
TEX
5
F
KC
9
MIN
11
F
SEA
2
HOU
10
F
SF
4
COL
5
F
WSH
3
ARI
0
F
SD
5
LAD
2
F
New-look Tigers open series against Rangers
Thu Aug 1, 2019 8:35 PM

Major League Baseball's worst team got even weaker on Wednesday, at least in the short run.

The Detroit Tigers traded away All-Star closer Shane Greene to Atlanta and right fielder Nicholas Castellanos to the Chicago Cubs for four minor leaguers. One of those newcomers, outfielder Travis Demeritte, could make his major league debut Friday when the Tigers begin a weekend series at Texas.

Demeritte, 24, posted strong numbers with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate, Gwinnett, and was named an International League All-Star. In 96 games, he's hitting .286 with 28 doubles, two triples, 20 home runs and 74 RBIs.

"Demeritte has had a long road for sure," Tigers general manager Al Avila told the Detroit News. "He was a first-round pick and got a lot of money. But he's doing really well at Triple-A and I am going to have a conversation with Gardy (manager Ron Gardenhire) about the possibility of sending him straight to the big leagues. He's been around a little bit and he has some experience. He ready to be tested at the big-league level."

Demeritte will try to help fill the void in the lineup. Castellanos' power numbers were down this season, but he was still tied for the MLB lead in doubles entering August.

A free agent at the end of the season, Castellanos didn't figure in the Tigers' long-term plans.

"First off, I am very excited to go to Chicago and be able to help that team in a pennant race any way I can. But I also know that when all this excitement slows down, I am going to miss everything here," Castellanos told the Detroit News. "I was in Detroit for nine years. Everything I know besides high school baseball is the Detroit Tigers. If I've done it, I did it here."

Rookie left-hander Tyler Alexander (0-1, 3.86 ERA) will make his fourth career start for Detroit on Friday. He gave up four runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings at Seattle on Saturday, though he struck out nine.

He'll be opposed by right-hander Lance Lynn (13-6, 3.83), who ranks among the American League's top 10 in wins and strikeouts (160 in 141 innings). He's coming off a strong outing at Oakland on Friday in which he held the A's to one earned run on four hits in six innings while fanning eight.

In five career starts against Detroit, he's 2-3 with a 4.60 ERA.

The Rangers didn't make a significant trade before Wednesday's deadline, but they did shuffle their roster afterward.

Third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Jose Trevino were recalled from Triple-A Nashville, while third baseman Asdrubal Cabrera and catcher Tim Federowicz were designated for assignment.

"With the way the playing time would be shaking out, there wouldn't have been a whole lot of playing time for Asdrubal," GM Jon Daniels told MLB.com. "From a defensive standpoint, we think Kiner is an upgrade at third base and Trevino, that's his forte behind the plate. Gives us a chance to upgrade in two spots defensively."

The Rangers held onto ace Mike Minor as Daniels was stymied by a buyer's market in which teams were reluctant to part with young talent.

"I'm not sure if that's because of the value of the prospects or the postseason setup, any individual circumstances or teams or ownership," Daniels said. "We could have forced it and made a deal that I would not have been proud to explain to our fans, or we could have held on to one of the better pitchers in the league and maintain the options that go with that."

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

Team Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
Detroit            
Texas            

Scheduled Starting Pitchers

Tyler Alexander - TB
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Texas
Lance Lynn - STL
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Detroit

Hot Batters (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

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