Tigers manager has major warning for struggling Spencer Torkelson

Apr 15, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson hits against the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers may be running out of patience with struggling Spencer Torkelson.

Tigers manager AJ Hinch offered a fairly brutal comment on Torkelson’s struggles on Saturday. Torkelson has been demoted to seventh in the team’s batting order, and Hinch admitted that he is running out of ways to try to get the first baseman going.

AJ Hinch when asked about moving Spencer Torkelson down to the seventh hole: "You see him steadily moving down in the order and the next stop is next to me. We're trying to keep supporting him because he's a good player. But he's not in a good spot."

— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) May 4, 2024

“You see him steadily moving down in the order and the next stop is next to me,” Hinch said. “We’re trying to keep supporting him because he’s a good player. But he’s not in a good spot.”

Torkelson hit 31 home runs last season in what appeared to be a breakout year. That has not carried into 2024, as he came into Saturday hitting just .212, and he has yet to homer on the year. Things did not get any better on Saturday, as he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and a double play.

The former No. 1 overall pick has had some bad luck this year, but that simply does not account for the poor numbers. It makes sense that the Tigers are losing patience, especially since they have still managed to go 18-15 without getting any real production from him.