Zach McKinstry has been activated from the injured list and will start at third base for the Detroit Tigers against the Boston Red Sox. Zack Short has been designated for assignment to make room for McKinstry.
Zach McKinstry is back.
The Detroit Tigers activated McKinstry, a 31-year-old utility player, from the injured list Tuesday, May 5, before the second of three games against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. He showed up in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game at third base, batting eighth.
To make room, shortstop Zack Short was designated for assignment.
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Detroit Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry (39) celebrates after scoring in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
McKinstry hasn't played for the Tigers since April 15, when he suffered injuries on three separate plays against the Kansas City Royals.
He has been recovering from what the Tigers described as left hip and abdominal inflammation.
It was much more than that.
Zach McKinstry returned to the Tigers on May 5, 2026.
Zack Short was designated for assignment to make room for McKinstry.
Zach McKinstry is playing third base after his return.
The Detroit Tigers are playing against the Boston Red Sox.
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Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) throws a baseball into the stands after fielding the second inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) throws against Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) runs onto the field for first inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) throws against Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene (31) is grounded out to Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle (70) at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) watches a play from the dugout during the first inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Boston Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony (19) bats against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers shortstop Zack Short (15) throws towards first base as Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) is out on second base during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) walks off the field after throwing first inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle (70) throws against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers center fielder Matt Vierling (8) bats against Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) catches for a fly out against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers right fielder Wenceel PĂ©rez (46) catches for a fly out against Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Ty Madden (36) throws against Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) throws a baseball into the stands after fielding the second inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) throws a baseball into the stands after fielding the second inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) throws against Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) runs onto the field for first inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) throws against Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene (31) is grounded out to Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle (70) at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) watches a play from the dugout during the first inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Boston Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony (19) bats against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers shortstop Zack Short (15) throws towards first base as Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) is out on second base during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) walks off the field after throwing first inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle (70) throws against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers center fielder Matt Vierling (8) bats against Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) catches for a fly out against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers right fielder Wenceel PĂ©rez (46) catches for a fly out against Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Ty Madden (36) throws against Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
As McKinstry explained, he suffered a severe muscle tear off his pelvic bone and thought he could miss six to eight weeks, but the location of the tear resulted in a quicker-than-expected rehab process.
Six days after the injury, McKinstry reached 80% of his regular sprint speed. From there, he had to build up to game speed for all baseball activities.
In 14 games, McKinstry is hitting .209 with one home run, three walks and 10 strikeouts. He has logged 48 innings at second base, 33 innings in right field and 22â innings at third base.
This story will be updated.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers roster: Zach McKinstry back from injury; Zack Short cut