The projected 3rd base situation believed to be Jace Jung being the everyday option with Matt Vierling platooning at the position when the matchup favored. But with Vierling now being held out until after Opening Day the Tiger’s have been seeking out a contingency plan in the interim. The Tigers have worked out several individuals at the third base position including Hao Yu Lee, a young prospect who up until this point was primarily playing 2nd base.

Jung got off to a hot start at the placte slugging two doubles in his first two at-bats, but since then has struggled mightily. It wasn’t until Tuesday when he crushed his first career major league home-run that he showed any sign of life at the dish. Defensively he has been serviceable. He has yet to record a error this Spring. Despite that Jung is hitting a woeful .154 currently. The Tiger’s coaching staff has seen some positive improvements but it would be tough to justify making him an everyday 3rd baseman all things considered.

On consecutive days this week, AJ Hinch ran out Javier Baez and Jahmai Jones at 3rd. Jones was originally drafted as an infielder by the Angels but would later convert to an outfielder. Baez played some 3rd early in his career, but not with any consistency since 2019. We all know AJ likes to test the limits of his player’s defensive versatility, and what better time than Spring Training to do so. But one can only assume Hinch is looking to exercise all options given the early struggles at the plate for Jung. Jones and Baez would both go on to commit one fielding error a piece in their short outings at third.

Javy Baez getting reps at 3rd base for the Detroit Tigers in Spring Training 👀

🎥: @EvanPetzold | #RepDetroit
pic.twitter.com/iTsszZurWn

— Caleb Czarnik (@calebczarnik) March 13, 2025

All in all, the hopes is that Jung will continue to improve at the plate and Vierling will be back to action within the next month. Making this current dilemma a temporary one. In the meantime the Tigers still will have options such as Andy Ibanez who plays above average defense at 3rd, and can be used to platoon against lefty pitchers who he has historically owned at the plate.