The struggling Tigers offense has lost its second cleanup hitter in three weeks, albeit temporarily. Yoenis Cespedes left Thursday’s series finale against the A’s with what the team called flu-like symptoms.
Cespedes, who has taken over the cleanup spot with Victor Martinez on the disabled list, fouled a ball off his foot in the second inning before striking out swinging at a Jesse Hahn changeup. He walked back to the clubhouse as Daniel Fields began warming up. Fields replaced him in left field for the start of the third inning.
Considering the Tigers entered Thursday having scored 18 runs over their last nine games, any loss of a productive hitter is a big one.