McKinstry is starting at shortstop and batting seventh in Sunday's game against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Javier Baez started the first two games of the series at shortstop, but he'll hit the bench Sunday and give way to McKinstry. Baez is struggling mightily this season with a .183/.209/.247 slash line, so McKinstry could earn more playing time moving forward, though the latter profiles more as a utility player than an everyday starter.

McKinstry went 2-for-4 with a triple and a two-run home run in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

McKinstry launched his first home run of the season in the second inning, then followed with his second triple of the year in the fourth. While Javier Baez is still the team's primary option at shortstop, McKinstry has managed to carve out a sizeable role amid Baez's struggles at the plate. McKinstry is probably best suited as a utility player, however, so he likely will continue to move around the field rather than replace Baez altogether.

McKinstry is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

McKinstry picked up starts at shortstop and second base Friday and Saturday, respectively, going 1-for-6 with a double. Though both Colt Keith (.594 OPS) and Javier Baez (.481 OPS) have turned in poor numbers as the Tigers' regular starters in the middle infield this season, McKinstry (.499 OPS in 91 plate appearances) hasn't done much to make a case for steadier playing time.

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.