Tigers’ lineup vs. Padres as Kevin McGonigle shifts positions
Kevin McGonigle has not needed an acclimation period in the major leagues. The 21-year-old Tigers rookie infielder is 5-for-8 in his first two games, including a 4-for-5 day in his debut and a go-ahead two-run single in his second game. Detroit goes for the three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres on Saturday night (8:40 p.
m. , DSN/971. 1).
McGonigle would be even better than 5-for-8 had not Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill robbed him of a home run on Friday night. ABOUT THAT ACTION. pic.
twitter. com/fCVhiT4TAy — San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 28, 2026 McGonigle gets his first start at shortstop after starting the first two games at third base. He did move to shortstop in the middle of Friday's game.
McGonigle has hit sixth in the batting order all three games. Jack Flaherty (8-15, 4. 64 ERA in 2025) starts for the Tigers on Saturday night against the Padres’ Randy Vasquez.