BALTIMORE — Niko Goodrum ripped a two-out double down the first-base line, scoring two runs in the fifth inning to give the Detroit Tigers a 3-0 lead over the Baltimore Orioles.
But Goodrum couldn’t stay in the game.
While running the bases, Goodrum sustained a left groin injury. Manager AJ Hinch and athletic trainer Doug Teter jogged out to second base and returned to the dugout with Goodrum.
“When he rounded first, he said he felt it one step after first base,” Hinch said after Wednesday’s 5-2 win. “When he pulled up, you could see it right away. My attention was down the right-field line. I turned to Niko, and he was limping into second. We went out there, and he met us on the field. That tells me all I need to know about how much pain he was in.”
Goodrum, 29, will be placed on the injured list. As a replacement, the Tigers are calling up outfielder Jacob Robson from Triple-A Toledo for his MLB debut. Before activating him, they will need to open a spot on the 40-man roster.
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Robson, 26, hit .280 with five home runs, 23 RBIs, 32 walks and 75 strikeouts over 50 games for the Mud Hens this season. He started the year with Double-A Erie, hitting .424 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 18 games before getting promoted. He also took a couple weeks away this season to play with the Canadian national team in its attempt to qualify for Olympic play.
Goodrum returned Tuesday from a left calf contusion, which forced him to the 10-day injured list July 17. He also dealt with a left finger tendon injury earlier this season, sending him to the 10-day injured list June 19.
Since getting injured June 18, Goodrum has played just six games.
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And he is now injured again.
“It’s awful for him,” Hinch said. “He worked his way back and got the big hit for us.”
Goodrum is hitting .224 with six doubles, one triple, six home runs, 21 RBIs, 22 walks and 84 strikeouts in 65 games this season.
Evan Petzold is a sports reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.