Detroit — Another day, another couple of new nameplates inside the Tigers’ clubhouse.
The Tigers selected infielder Andy Ibanez from Triple-A Toledo and called up shortstop Zack Short before the doubleheader Saturday. Short was up to serve as the 27th player for the doubleheader.
Ibanez, 30, takes the place of outfielder Kerry Carpenter, who was put on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder sprain. He suffered the injury Thursday night crashing into the right-field wall after making a leaping catch.
“We love Carp hitting in the middle of the lineup, especially against right-handed pitcher,” manager AJ Hinch said. “But it is what it is. In a collision with a wall, the wall wins. … Knowing he wasn’t going to be available for a couple of days, we needed to get somebody up here.
“Whether it’s going to be short term or longer than the 10 days, we don’t know.”
Ibanez got off to a hot start at Toledo, slashing .297/.418/.609 with five home runs.
“Obviously he’s demonstrated a little bit of power and he’s demonstrated at-bat control,” Hinch said. “His contact has been good and he’s played all over the field at Triple-A prepping for an opportunity like this where he’s going to play multiple positions.”
With Carpenter down, the Tigers have three true outfielders on the roster — Riley Greene, Matt Vierling and Akil Baddoo.
Catcher Eric Haase has played in left field against left-handed pitching. Infielders Nick Maton, Zach McKinstry, Tyler Nevin and Ibanez have also played in the outfield.
“All of the above,” Hinch said when asked which of those players might see time in the outfield. “We’re going to mix and match them the best we can depending on who we’re facing.”
The Tigers will be facing a few right-handed starters in the next few games, which means Greene, Vierling and Baddoo will get the bulk of the starts.
To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Ibanez, the Tigers moved pitcher Matt Manning (broken bone in his foot) to the 60-day injured list. That would make him eligible to come off on June 11.
“I have no idea, when that stuff happens, how long it’s going to take,” Hinch said. “You get him viewed by a couple of doctors and then however long it takes a bone to heal. This fits the timeline some of the doctors suggested.”
Safe with Short
Miguel Cabrera walked past the media scrum encircling Short on Saturday morning.
“Shorty’s here,” he said. “We’re safe.”
Short was in the lineup at shortstop in Game 1 while Javier Báez, who missed Thursday’s game with a bruise on his left hand, served as designated hitter. Báez was expected to start at shortstop in Game 2.
“It’s good to see him,” Hinch said. “His at-bats have been good. His baseball card numbers don’t always do him justice for what he can do (.340 on-base at Toledo). It’s nice for Shorty to remember and be reminded that he’s a part of this.”
Short came through in a big way in the Tigers’ 7-4 win in Game 1. He had three hits, including a solo home run in the eighth inning. He also made three brilliant defensive plays.
Ryan Kreidler, who started the season with the Tigers, was not an option to be called up for either roster need Saturday. He’s dealing with a sore knee and has been inactive at Toledo.
It’s insane
Short has had a front-row seat for the sizzling start by third base prospect Justyn-Henry Malloy.
“It’s insane to see somebody have the at-bats that he’s having,” Short said.
Going into the day Saturday, Malloy was slashing .341/.477/.494 at Toledo with 20 walks and 23 strikeouts.
“We joke, like, when we have the ABS (automated ball-strike, robo ump) and the challenge system, it’s based off him,” Short said. “Ask him if it’s a strike or not. If it’s close and he takes it, it’s a ball. Period. He had like a 12-game on-base streak with multiple on-bases — it’s stupid. He’s 23 years old and his at-bats are like he’s been around for 15 years.”
Still, Malloy, whom the Tigers got from the Braves in the Joe Jimenez trade, has only played 32 games at the Triple-A level.
Around the horn
Right hander Beau Brieske (right ulnar nerve entrapment) had his throwing program shut down after he reported more soreness after throwing his most recent live bullpen session. He will undergo further evaluation.
… Lefty Tarik Skubal, recovering from flexor tendon surgery, threw off the mound for the first time Saturday. There were no immediate reports on how it went.
… McKinstry threw himself a birthday party in Game 1. He ripped a single and a double and scored two runs. Happy 28th to you.
… The Tigers made a minor league transaction Saturday, as well. They signed infielder Luis Santana and assigned him to Double-A Erie. Santana, 23, had been in the Houston Astros’ organization.
Orioles at Tigers
▶ First pitch: 1:40 p.m. Sunday, Comerica Park, Detroit
▶ TV/radio: BSD/97.1
SCOUTING REPORT
▶ RHP Kyle Bradish (1-1, 6.30), Orioles: This is his fourth start of the season after missing time with a right foot contusion. His last one was forgettable. He lasted just 2⅓ innings against the Red Sox and got nicked for seven runs on eight hits with four walks. He features a lot of spin (curveballs and sliders) off a 94-mph four-seam fastball.
▶ RHP Spencer Turnbull (1-3, 7.25), Tigers: Still working back into form. He had trouble getting into a rhythm on the mound in Milwaukee and ended up needing 75 pitches to get through four innings. His fastball and sinker are still down velocity-wise (92-93 mph) and his slider has been inconsistent.
chris.mccosky@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @cmccosky