DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers didn’t need Cameron Maybin to be a savior in his return from injury. They only needed him to help.

The 29-year-old outfielder has done not only that -- he has sparked the team with his speed and offensive production. And his infectious personality has pervaded a clubhouse that, three days ago, was decidedly less upbeat.

“To be honest with you, Cameron Maybin has been huge for us,” veteran second baseman Ian Kinsler said. “He’s come up in big situations, he’s extended innings, he’s stolen bases, he’s put pressure on the other team, he’s having good at-bats even when he’s getting outs, so it’s really nice to have someone in that seven spot that’s putting pressure on the defense.”

In his first game back since suffering a spring training wrist injury (and subsequent setbacks during his recovery), Maybin went 2-for-2 with a stolen base in Monday’s 10-8 win over the Minnesota Twins. On Tuesday, he recorded another pair of hits and stole another bag -- helping to extend the team’s power surge in a seven-run seventh inning that led to a 7-2 victory.

“I just feel good to be healthy. I feel lucky. I feel blessed to be here. It’s been a long couple months,” Maybin said. “I love playing baseball and I love playing with this group of guys. I’m just trying to be the best me that I can and provide energy, and hopefully I’m doing that.”

Maybin, whose activation from the disabled list led to the team optioning outfielder Anthony Gose to Triple-A Toledo, provides a different dynamic, both at the plate and covering ground in the outfield.

“Maybin’s a real good big league player. ... He’s come a long ways,” said bench coach Gene Lamont, who assumed managerial duties on Tuesday night with Brad Ausmus serving a one-game suspension. “We had [Gose] there and [Gose] had speed, but it just makes a difference there. If you have speed on the bases but you’re not on the bases, it doesn’t do you a hell of a lot for ya. ... We’re glad to have [Maybin] back. ... You can see in center field he knows what he’s doing.”

Beyond his play, Maybin's personality has injected new life into a clubhouse that already has experienced some trying times through the first 39 games of the season. Maybe a little of that was needed, third baseman Nick Castellanos conceded.

“He brings a lot of passion,” Castellanos said. “You need to be loose around him, because he’s always high energy, always bouncing around and stuff. He’s fun to play with.”

That’s a high compliment to Maybin, who takes that element of his contributions seriously. Even when he can’t rely on his production or defense to boost the team, he hopes he can in other ways.

“When I’m healthy, I can do a lot of good things on the baseball field. And I think bringing energy and bringing guys together is one,” Maybin said. “One thing I’ve learned about myself over the past couple of years is even if I’m not Ian Kinsler or Miguel Cabrera, I can affect the team in different ways. I feel like I’ve been able to do that since I’ve been back, and I just look forward to the next game, the next 128 we have left or whatever it is and [to bringing] that energy every day.”