Tigers’ Austin Meadows reveals mental health struggles

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Tigers outfielder Austin Meadows revealed on Friday he has been coping with mental health points together with bodily illnesses and won’t play once more this season.

“This season has been an unfortunate struggle with a series of injuries and illness, from dealing with vertigo early on, then COVID, then bilateral tendinitis in my Achilles, and then having to go through the rehab process each time,” he posted on social media. “What I have told very few people is that I also have been struggling with my mental health in a way that has extended my time away from the game I love so much.”

Detroit supervisor A.J. Hinch has recognized of Meadows’ mental health points for a number of weeks. Meadows addressed the topic with teammates on Friday.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with Austin in the last couple of weeks,” Hinch stated. “We’ll offer him all the support we can, and we have been.”

Meadows has appeared in 36 video games this season, batting .250 with no homers and 11 RBIs. He was acquired from Tampa Bay in a commerce on the finish of spring coaching to offer the Tigers’ lineup an offensive increase. Meadows had 27 residence runs and 106 RBIs final season for the Rays.

“He’s going to continue to be around the team when we’re home and continue to work with the people behind the scenes,” Hinch stated. “He’s on a great path. He surrounded by a lot of great people. He’s got a ton of support and his statement speaks for itself.”

Meadows added in his assertion that he hopes his choice to go public will encourage others coping with mental health issues “to reach out to someone for help.”

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