Tigers INF Colt Keith is out for the season and now we know why

Detroit Tigers utility infielder Colt Keith is out for the remainder of the season due to a sprained left thumb. The injury, which had been bothering him since his glove got jammed in the net during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, prevented Keith from playing through the pain as the Tigers were eliminated from playoff contention.

Keith's doctor concluded that the injury didn't require surgery, leading to his placement on the 10-day injured list. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch noted that Keith was trying to play through the injury to reach the end of the season, but decided it was best to rest the thumb to avoid potential long-term harm. Keith's season was marked by underwhelming performance, with low numbers in hits, home runs, and RBIs.

However, he showed improvement in his last 177 plate appearances since July 1. The infielder is aiming to establish himself at a position, either third or second base, and intends to focus on improving his power numbers during the offseason. Meanwhile, starting pitchers Troy Melton and Jack Flaherty are dealing with separate arm issues and are expected to recover in time for the team's final series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.