Kress spent 1937 with the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association, hitting .330 and leading the league shortstops in total chances. He was reacquired by the Browns before the 1938 season. Again at shortstop, he responded with a .302 average and leading American League shortstops in fielding (.965). Traded to the Detroit Tigers in 1939, he broke his leg during the season. In 1940, the American League champion Tigers released the hard-luck Kress on August 1, but he remained with Detroit as a coach through the World Series, then in 1941 continued his career in the American Association as player-manager of the St. Paul Saints of the American Association.