McKinstry went 1-for-3 with a walk in Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Athletics and is now batting .313 across seven appearances this season.

EDGE Analysis

McKinstry isn't known as an offensive threat, but he's off to a strong start in his utility role. He started at shortstop Sunday with regular Javier Baez, who is batting just .154 so far, getting the day off. Baez will likely stick as the primary starter, though McKinstry could start to earn more playing time if he continues to reach base at a solid clip.

With Gio Urshela not locked into the starting third base job yet, McKinstry may have a path to more regular playing time at the hot corner, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Petzold went on to note that McKinstry is still likely best suited for a utility role off the bench, but the uncertainty at third base could work in his favor. For now, Urshela along with Matt Vierling seem like the top options at the hot corner, with McKinstry available there and elsewhere across the diamond. The 28-year-old offers nice versatility, though he's never produced much offensively at the MLB level.

McKinstry will likely serve in a utility for the Tigers this season with Colt Keith the presumptive starter at second base, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Tigers have cycled through a handful of options at the keystone the past few seasons, but the 22-year-old Keith is seen as a potential long-term solution, and it appears that the team is ready to give him a shot. McKinstry appeared in 148 games and recorded 464 at-bats for Detroit last season, though he's likely better suited for a more limited role. Expect him to provide versatility but little offense as a utility player in 2024, which limits his fantasy upside.

McKinstry went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's loss to the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

McKinstry's second-inning home run gave him nine this season. His previous career high was seven, which he recorded in 2021, and the utility player came into the year with only 12 career MLB home runs across three seasons. Heading into 2024, McKinstry figures to retain a versatile role where he plays multiple positions, though his fantasy appeal is limited due to his lack of offensive upside.

McKinstry isn't in the Tigers' lineup Sunday against Oakland.

EDGE Analysis

McKinstry will sit down Sunday with left-hander JP Sears on the mound for Oakland. Zack Short will start at the keystone and bat eighth while McKinstry is out.

McKinstry went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

McKinstry was the only Detroit player with multiple hits, and he had one of only two extra-base knocks for the team. The utility player often serves in a leadoff role, which he did Saturday, but the Tigers can struggle to put together much offense, as they're 29th in the majors in runs scored. That limits the upside of McKinstry and other Detroit hitters in run-producing spots.

McKinstry isn't in Detroit's lineup Friday against Oakland.

EDGE Analysis

Lefty Ken Waldichuk will start on the bump for the A's on Friday, meaning the left-handed bat of McKinstry will stay put in the Tigers' dugout to begin the game. McKinstry's absence will allow Zack Short to start at second base and bat ninth.

McKinstry isn't in the Tigers' lineup Tuesday against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

With left-hander Caleb Ferguson starting on the mound for the Dodgers, the left-handed bat of McKinstry will stay put in Detroit's dugout to begin Tuesday's contest. Andy Ibanez will instead start at second base and bat second.

McKinstry is out of the lineup Sunday versus the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Andy Ibanez will start at second base and bat second as Zack Short plays shortstop and hits eighth. McKinstry has slashed just .135/.211/.154 with 17 strikeouts over his last 57 plate appearances dating back to Aug. 30.

McKinstry isn't in the Tigers' lineup Thursday against the Yankees, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Left-hander Carlos Rodon will toe the slab to begin Thursday's game for New York, so the lefty-hitting McKinstry will retreat to the dugout. Andy Ibanez will fill in at the keystone and bat third while McKinstry sits.