Tigers activate Jeimer Candelairo from disabled list, option Mikie Mahtook to Toledo

The Detroit Tigers have activated infielder Jeimer Candelario from the 10-day disabled list, the club has announced. The third baseman is slated to bat third in the batting order immediately upon his return. To make room on the roster, the Tigers have optioned outfielder Mikie Mahtook to triple-A Toledo.

Candelario batted .272/.357/.497 with five home runs prior to being sidelined with tendinitis in his left wrist, a condition that has bothered him for several years. Despite the layoff, he ranks second in the Tigers lineup in fWAR, tied with Nick Castellanos. He is second to the former third baseman in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage, and is tied for the team lead in home runs.

Mahtook is the victim of a numbers game. The team has outfielders Castellanos, Jacoby Jones, Leonys Martin and rule 5 pick Victor Reyes also on the roster. Mahtook started the season as the Tigers’ left fielder, but is being optioned for the second time this season. Since being recalled on May 9, he has hit .237/.250/.342. He has yet to homer for Detroit this season.

The Tigers are hoping to get an offensive jolt from Candelario. The team ranks 11th in the league in runs scored so far this season.