Rainer (shoulder) served as a designated hitter Monday during a minor-league game on the back fields of Tigers camp, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.
The 20-year-old shortstop hasn't yet been cleared to play defense after undergoing surgery in June to repair a dislocated right shoulder, but since he's hitting without restrictions this spring, he could be ready to make regular starts at DH once the minor-league season gets underway later this month. Before suffering the shoulder injury last summer, Rainer had been in the midst of a stellar first season in the professional ranks, as he slashed .294/.383/.452 with five home runs, nine stolen bases and a 13.1 percent walk rate over 149 plate appearances with Single-A Lakeland.
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Tigers' Bryce Rainer: Should be ready for start of season
Rotowire
Rainer, who had his 2025 campaign come to a premature end in June after dislocating his right shoulder, is in line to be ready for the start of the 2026 minor-league season, MLB.com reports.
Rainer dislocated his shoulder diving back to first base in a June 3 game for Single-A Lakeland, and he underwent surgery shortly after that. The 20-year-old shortstop seems to be almost fully recovered, and if he stays healthy all season long, he will look to build on the positive momentum he was establishing before getting hurt. Rainer, the 11th overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, posted an .835 OPS across 35 games for Lakeland in his first professional campaign, and he's one of the top prospects in Detroit's system. The youngster could make the jump to High-A West Michigan at some point this year and perhaps climb even higher.
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Tigers' Bryce Rainer: Done for 2025
Rotowire
Rainer will undergo season-ending surgery after dislocating his right shoulder during Single-A Lakehead's win over Daytona on Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
The 19-year-old shortstop suffered the injury while diving back to first base on a pick-off attempt. After receiving multiple opinions, the injury was determined to be severe enough to necessitate surgery, but Rainer is expected to be fully healthy for the start of spring training. He'll end the season with a .294/.383/.452 slash line with nine steals, five home runs and 22 RBI across 149 plate appearances in Single-A.
Rainer was removed Tuesday from Single-A Lakeland's 4-3 win over Daytona after injuring his right shoulder while diving back to first base on a pickoff attempt, Lynn Henning of The Detroit News reports.
Rainer was spotted after the game with his arm in a sling, so the 19-year-old looks as though he could be at risk of landing on Lakeland's injured list. The injury is unfortunate timing for Rainer, who had been building a strong case for a promotion to High-A West Michigan. The young shortstop has slashed .288/.383/.448 with five home runs, nine stolen bases and a 22.1 percent strikeout rate in 149 plate appearances in the Florida State League.
