DETROIT -- The thrill Tigers outfielder Victor Reyes experienced over his Major League debut Sunday night was tempered by eight stitches he received in his right forearm, the result of a collision with shortstop Jose Iglesias on a fly ball in the fifth inning of their 8-6 loss to the Pirates in the second game of a doubleheader.
Reyes left the game for pinch-hitter Michael Mahtook after Iglesias made the catch to end the top of the inning. Reyes is listed as day to day with a right forearm laceration.
Reyes said after the game that he feels fine, but manager Ron Gardenhire said they'll check with him, as well as Iglesias, on Monday morning before figuring out if they need to make any roster moves.
"If it's only a few days, it's OK," Gardenhire said, "but other than that, then we have to do something. But the kid was playing pretty good out there, got a little aggressive on that one, but had a good day."
Reyes, who made Detroit's Opening Day roster after being selected with the top pick in last December's Rule 5 Draft, started Sunday's nightcap in left field and made a highlight diving catch to rob Jordy Mercer in the first inning. He saw a flurry of activity in the early innings and seemingly had his eyes on another play when Gregory Polanco hit a fly ball with two outs in the fifth.
Iglesias, however, was also going after the ball, retreating from his position at shortstop.
"I don't know if Reyes really understands how good [Iglesias] is at going back on pop flies," Gardenhire said. "He probably hasn't played enough with Iglesias out there. He's one of the best at going back on pop flies. … If they played more together, he would probably see that and realize that. That's just him not being as familiar playing out there with Iglesias and knowing how good he can do those things."
Reyes said through translator Bryan Loor-Almonte that he neither saw Iglesias nor heard him call for the ball. Reyes tried to dive at the last second, but the ball kept Iglesias backtracking. Iglesias toppled over Reyes as he made the catch, and his cleats caught Reyes' arm, opening a gash.
Iglesias held onto the ball, but was hobbling after getting up. Reyes was still on the ground, but eventually got up and headed toward the dugout under his own power. Mahtook pinch-hit for Reyes leading off the bottom of the inning, then stayed in the game in left.
"We'll check on Iglesias in the morning," Gardenhire said. "His calf was pretty sore. I think he [turned] his ankle a little bit, but he wanted to finish the game. And Reyes took a pretty good slash across the arm."
The Tigers must keep Reyes on the active roster or the disabled list all season or offer him back to the D-backs, his previous organization. Reyes' performance in Spring Training convinced the Tigers to keep him on the roster as an extra outfielder in hopes of adding a young hitter to the organization.
"Hopefully the kid will be OK," Gardenhire said. "He was pretty exciting out there."