The Tigers got off to a very inauspicious start to their 2025 season when multiple outfielders came out of spring training on the IL. Matt Vierling, Wenceel Pérez, Parker Meadows, and even Akil Baddoo were indisposed by Opening Day.
Pérez came back in late May and managed to have a decent season, but Vierling only managed to play in 31 games between IL stints. Meadows didn't fare much better at 58, but he was available throughout the Tigers' postseason run, even if he wasn't great.
Vierling was a veteran leader in 2024, but Meadows was arguably supposed to be the more exciting player to watch in 2025.