The Tigers selected Corey Julks' contract on August 12, 2026, giving the outfielder a major-league opportunity after Riley Greene was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.
The move came after Greene left the game yesterday with hamstring tightness, and it immediately altered Detroit's outfield mix in the middle of a tight playoff race. The Tigers also designated Troy Watson for assignment as part of the roster shuffle.
Why Julks got the call
Julks had been with Triple-A Toledo on a minor league deal he signed in the offseason before August 12, 2026. He earned the promotion with solid offensive production in Toledo, where he hit.273/.347/.453 with 15 home runs and 9 stolen bases before being selected to the big-league roster.
That production is a step up from some of Julks' earlier major league results. In 525 major league plate appearances, he has hit.234/.288/.337 with a 74 wRC+, but he also showed a stronger stretch in a previous major league run, hitting.273/.366/.450 with 16 home runs and a 129 wRC+.
What it means for Detroit
For the Tigers, the move is about covering a significant short-term absence while keeping the lineup intact during a crucial stretch. Greene's injury does not sound like a season-ending setback, but a 10-day injured list stint still creates a gap that has to be filled immediately.
Julks now has a chance to show he can help in that role, at least while Greene recovers. For a team trying to stay in the race, even a short-term roster spot can matter, and Detroit is banking on Julks to provide useful at-bats while the outfield reshapes around Greene's absence.
