Zach McKinstry returns, Triple-A manager Gabe Alvarez fired

TL;DR

Zach McKinstry returns from the injured list to play against the Boston Red Sox. Toledo Mud Hens manager Gabe Alvarez has been fired for a violation of club policy.

Key points

Zach McKinstry returns from the injured list.
Gabe Alvarez fired for violation of club policy.
Mike Hessman is the interim manager for Toledo Mud Hens.
McKinstry suffered hip and abdominal inflammation.
Tigers infield depth is stressed due to injuries.

Mentioned in this story

Zach McKinstryGabe AlvarezMike HessmanGleyber TorresJavier BáezPaul deJong

Detroit TigersToledo Mud HensBoston Red SoxKansas City Royals

Apr 14, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry (39) celebrates after scoring in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images This is going to be a grab bag of news items on the Tigers for Tuesday. Manager A.J. Hinch was on MLB Radio on Tuesday morning. He confirmed that infielder Zach McKinstry will return from the injured list against the Boston Red Sox tonight. McKinstry was banged up in a pair of collisions in a series against the Kansas City Royals in mid-April, and went on the injured list with hip and abdominal inflammation after colliding with Jac Caglione as he tried to field a ground ball. Hinch also mentioned that Gleyber Torres is still day-to-day with tightness on the left side of his torso, presumably a mild oblique strain. At the moment Torres is still expected to avoid an injured list stint, but isn’t ready to play either. Torres last played on Saturday. The Tigers infield depth is under some stress as a result, with Javier Báez on the injured list with an ankle injury. The club picked up veteran infielder Paul deJong on a minor league deal on Tuesday. DeJong played for the in 2025, and still played a bit of shortstop with them, though third base was his most played position. He hit .228/.269/.373 with six homers and four stolen bases in 208 plate appearances. He will be assigned to Triple-A Toledo. Finally, in a shocker, Toledo Mud Hens manager Gabe Alvarez, a rising star on the farm system who managed the Double-A Erie SeaWolves to back-to-back Eastern League Championships in 2023 and 2024, has been fired. There are no further details, as the Tigers simply announced that his contract was terminated for a violation of club policy. All we know is that hitting coach Mike Hessman has taken over as interim manager. That’s a tough one as Alvarez has played a role shepherding several of the club’s top prospects to the major leagues, and was thought to have the potential to manage in the major leagues or move into player development in the front office.

Q&A

Why was Gabe Alvarez fired as Toledo Mud Hens manager?

Gabe Alvarez was fired for a violation of club policy, although specific details have not been disclosed.

What injury did Zach McKinstry have before his return?

Zach McKinstry was on the injured list due to hip and abdominal inflammation caused by collisions during a game.

Who is the interim manager for the Toledo Mud Hens after Alvarez's firing?

Hitting coach Mike Hessman has been appointed as the interim manager for the Toledo Mud Hens.

Zach McKinstry returns, Triple-A manager Gabe Alvarez fired

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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