Injured Austin Meadows joins Detroit Tigers as 'baby steps' continue in rehab program

MINNEAPOLIS — Austin Meadows took swings off a pitching machine at Target Field. His workout transitioned into running drills on flat ground, which he accomplished without pain, for the first time in his rehab process.

The Detroit Tigers hope Meadows can return this season.

"Baby steps," manager A.J. Hinch said. "We're getting a little bit better, and he's doing a little bit more."

Meadows, who hasn't played in MLB since June 15, joined the Tigers for the three-game series against the Minnesota Twins and is expected to stay with the big-league club until he begins a rehab assignment. Before that happens, Meadows must progress in his running program and avoid setbacks.

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"The next step is getting on the bases and going from there," Meadows said.

The 2022 season has been nothing short of trying for Meadows and his health, dealing with a sinus infection, inner ear infection, vertigo, COVID-19, right and left Achilles strains and general soreness.

Since May 6, Meadows has played in 14 of the Tigers' 79 games.

"We still don't have an answer of how it happened," Meadows said of straining both Achilles tendons at the same time. "It could just be from playing on grass more or different cleats. You could question all day. It is what it is, and we have to move forward and prevent this from happening again."

Before joining the Tigers, Meadows had been at the team's spring training facility in Lakeland, Florida, since before the All-Star break. The Tigers shipped him to Lakeland after shutting down his rehab assignment July 11 due to continued soreness in his legs.

He last played July 7 for Triple-A Toledo.

"It's been frustrating," Meadows said. "I've never had anything like this before. It's a rare injury, a rare thing. We've been in touch with the right doctors to figure out what's going on and the timeline from it. I'm just glad to be here and taking that next step."

At one point, Meadows was concerned he wouldn't return until 2023.

"You definitely have those thoughts," Meadows said. "But you just got to keep pushing and keep fighting. When you're hurt, you just want to be out there with the guys. When you're not playing and not around the team, it's really hard. You just want to be around them and helping them. It's been a tough time. It's been a learning process and growing process, but I've had a good support system around me. It'll make be stronger."

The Andrew Chafin situation

The market for left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin is heating up, with the New York Mets — the team Chafin's close friend, Chris Bassitt, pitches for — as one of many teams interested in acquiring him before Tuesday's 6 p.m. trade deadline.

Chafin is not vaccinated.

The 32-year-old returned to the Tigers on Monday after being placed on the restricted list for the four-game series, from Thursday through Sunday, against the Blue Jays in Toronto. He cannot enter Canada due to the country's vaccine requirement.

"We'll cross that bridge if we get there," Chafin said, speaking about his vaccination status for the second time in the past week. "I'll do what I have to do. But if I (don't) got to, then I won't. So I suppose that answers your question."

Chafin signed a two-year, $13 million contract in March. He has a player option for the 2023 season. If the Tigers keep Chafin, he is likely to exercise his player option.

"I got to be ready to pitch tonight," Chafin said. "That's about it. There's no point in worrying about stuff that's completely out of my control. If the phone rings for me, I'll go pitch. ... It's always in the back of your mind. You're always going to be wondering. You're going to think about it, but it doesn't matter. You have no control over it."

Derek Hill up for grabs

Reinstating Chafin from the restricted list forced the Tigers to make roster moves on the 26-man and 40-man rosters.

Outfielder Derek Hill, the No. 23 overall pick in 2014, was designated for assignment, clearing a spot on the 40-man roster, while right-hander Angel De Jesus was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to create an opening on the 26-man roster.

"The decisions are going to get harder and harder as guys on the 60-day (injured list) get healthy," Hinch said. "(Matt Manning) is going to come back tomorrow. It's going to get a little bit uncomfortable with some of the guys that have been here."

If Hill clears waivers, meaning the other 29 teams decline to add him to the 40-man roster, he can choose to stay with the organization or become a free agent. He will be a minor-league free agent this offseason.

The 26-year-old hit .217 with nine walks and 32 strikeouts for the Mud Hens this season.

Hill has a .240 batting average with nine stolen bases in 12 attempts across 95 games in parts of three MLB seasons. He played 31 games for the 2022 Tigers, batting .229 with five walks and 28 strikeouts.

"We'll see where it takes Derek in his career," Hinch said. "He's an incredible athlete and someone who's helped us. We hope he stays in the organization, but this is the cost of doing business as you get healthy."

Javier Báez sits bench

Shortstop Javier Báez was not in Monday's starting lineup for the series opener against the Twins. He hit a solo home run and made two errors — for an MLB-leading 15 errors — in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

For the first time since April, Hinch started utility player Willi Castro at shortstop.

"These are the guys that we're going to play today," Hinch said. "Javy is very available (off the bench). This is the group we think we should play today."

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Austin Meadows joins the Detroit Tigers to continue rehab process