Tigers' Spencer Torkelson will miss some time after cutting his finger

Lakeland, Fla. – AJ Hinch and his coaching staff had just finalized lineup plans Wednesday for the first couple of exhibition games, which start Sunday, with Tigers’ top prospect Spencer Torkelson to make an early start at third base.

Then came the phone call Wednesday night: Torkelson cut his right index finger at his house in Lakeland. The cut required stitches to close.

“He’s going to be limited for a couple of days,” Hinch said. “He’s not going to be able to hit or throw. It’s mild, but he won’t be able to play in the first few games.”

More:Tigers manager Hinch keeping a wary eye on Cabrera's on-field workload

Torkelson was on the field early Thursday, doing some fielding drills (non-throwing, obviously). He also sat in the batting cage watching his teammates do their work.

“That was probably the cruelest thing he could do to himself,” Hinch said, and added, laughingly: “I guess part of his development is going to be opening a can.

"It’s just unfortunate. Talking to him, he wasn’t concerned, which made me not concerned.

“There’s just some at-bats early he’s going to miss.”

Subscription:To-do list for Tigers' Gregory Soto: Master strike zone, incorporate 4-seam fastball

According to two sources familiar with the incident, Torkelson was making dinner at a house he shares with Jake Rogers and Riley Greene. They didn't have a can opener in the house so he tried to improvise with a wine opener that had a serrated, half-inch knife on the other end. 

The knife folded up on him, making a half-inch cut in the index finger. He took three stitches to close the wound. No muscle or tendons were affected. 

More:Spring-training ticket prices skyrocket from 2020; Tigers' average price nearly doubles

With Torkelson out, Hinch said Harold Castro, Zack Short and Greg Garcia will likely get extended reps in the early games.

Hinch also announced Thursday morning that Tyler Alexander and Michael Fulmer would make the first two starts of the spring. Alexander will start against the Phillies Sunday at Joke Marchant Stadium. Fulmer will get the ball Monday against the Yankees in Tampa.

chris.mccosky@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @cmccosky