Riley Greene Begins Rehab Assignment as Tigers Face Injury Challenges

Riley Greene, the Detroit Tigers outfielder, is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment after being sidelined since August 11 due to a right hamstring strain. He will serve as the designated hitter for Triple-A Toledo today and is expected to play left field on Sunday, pending a successful outing.

The Tigers, currently 59-60 and 2.5 games behind in the AL Central, have struggled without Greene, posting a 3-12 record since his injury. Greene's performance this season includes a batting average of .273 with 16 home runs, highlighting his importance to the team's offense.

Meanwhile, Justin Verlander continues to recover from a severe hamstring strain that has kept him out for over two months. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch noted that Verlander has started throwing off sloped ground, indicating progress in his rehabilitation. Jack Flaherty may also be nearing a return after being sidelined since July 20 due to flexor inflammation. However, Matt Vierling's recovery has been delayed due to heel soreness, leaving his return timeline uncertain.