Goodrum (groin strain) headed back to IL

MINNEAPOLIS -- Just as the Tigers breathed a sigh of relief that Niko Goodrum was back from a groin injury, the versatile cleanup hitter is headed to the injured list after re-aggravating it on Friday. He left Detroit's 9-6 win against the Twins with a left groin strain.

The Tigers will make a corresponding move on Saturday. His loss could create an opportunity at second base for middle-field prospect Willi Castro to make his Major League debut. Or it could open a spot for Ronny Rodríguez to slide back into a regular role.

Goodrum drew an 11-pitch walk in the first inning before grounding out on the first pitch he saw to end the third inning. He did not take the field for the bottom of the fourth.

“Not quite sure,” Goodrum said when asked what caused it. “I guess something just flared it up. I came back to play [Thursday] night and I guess it just didn't agree with it. So we're just going to try to take care of it and get back in as soon as possible.”

Rodriguez moved over from third base to take Goodrum's spot, with Dawel Lugo entering the game at the hot corner.

Goodrum missed four games with his previous groin injury before returning to action in Thursday’s series finale at Houston.

“I'm the type of player that goes to stretch singles into doubles, so it kind of limits you doing that when you're having pain in the groin area,” Goodrum said. “It affects you swinging. You have to stride, you have to make throws, so the groin's very important. When you injure that, you have to be easy with it and take care of it before it develops into something else.”

Goodrum’s return likely played a role in the Tigers’ decision to option Jeimer Candelario to Triple-A Toledo Friday after activating him from the injured list. Though Candelario normally would have to spend 10 days in the Minors, he could return sooner if he’s replacing an injured player.

Goodrum returned to the Tigers' lineup while honoring his late great-grandmother for Players’ Weekend, putting her last name -- Stinchcomb -- on his back. She was a lifelong baseball fan who would keep score of Braves games while watching or listening back home in College Park, Ga.

“Huge baseball fan,” Goodrum said. “She was a die-hard Braves fan, but she was my biggest fan. She died in 2014, so I didn’t get to the big leagues [before that], but she can have her own jersey now. I’ll frame that jersey.”