Spencer Torkelson rejoining the Tigers: 'He's a part of what we're doing'

After an extended stay in Toledo, Spencer Torkelson is returning to Detroit. The Tigers have recalled Torkelson from Triple-A, a day after bringing up Jace Jung and Trey Sweeney for their MLB debuts .

"We're going to keep getting younger," A.J. Hinch said Friday afternoon before the Tigers opened a three-game series against the Yankees.

Torkelson had a locker in the Tigers' clubhouse Saturday morning, replacing Bligh Madris.

Detroit's infield down the stretch will feature a 23-year-old third baseman in Jung, a 24-year-old shortstop in Sweeney, a 23-year-old second baseman in Colt Keith and a 24-year-old first baseman in Torkelson. There's a chance that's how it could look next season.

The next six weeks for Torkelson loom large. He was one of the worst hitters in the majors when he was sent down in early June. If he shows the Tigers that the adjustments he made in Triple-A are transferable to the bigs, they'll likely feel better about penciling him in at first base for 2025. If he doesn't, they'll have to consider adding some competition this winter.

"Torkelson is working his butt off in Toledo to make some changes with his swing and to improve his defense to make a really compelling case to be back here as soon as possible," Tigers president of baseball ops Scott Harris said earlier this month. "We’re working toward helping him refine elements of his game that are going to make him a force in the middle of our lineup for many years to come."

Torkelson hit .239 with 11 homers and a .799 OPS in 58 games with Toledo, a vast improvement from .201 with four homers and a .597 OPS in 54 games with Detroit. His strikeout rate in Triple-A did spike to 30 percent, which is cause for concern, but he also more than doubled his walk rate.

"I like the adjustments that he’s started to make down there," said Harris.

The Tigers will be paying particular attention to how Torkelson handles high velocity after he hit just .178 against fastballs before his demotion. He hit .270 against fastballs last season when he slugged 31 homers.

A.J. Hinch recently took a trip to Toledo to check in on Torkelson himself and said Thursday that the former first overall pick is "taking steps, absolutely" in the right direction.

"He’s a part of what we’re doing," said Hinch. "We do need the right-handed bat in the middle of the order, we need the stability that comes with a guy who plays every day. I see that he’s got double-digit homers, he’s hitting the ball harder. The swing and miss is still there, and it might be there as just part of his game when he’s trying to do so much damage.

"But emotionally I think he’s doing a lot better than he was a couple months ago when we sent him out, and that will be key whenever he comes back to help us."

Torkelson is back -- back for good? We'll see.