Kerry Carpenter has been absent from the Tigers’ lineup since May 27, when he was placed on the 10-day IL due to lumbar spine inflammation, later diagnosed as a stress fracture. His recovery has been slow, with multiple setbacks leading to his move to the 60-day IL in late July.
Despite his absence, the Tigers have managed to cope, thanks to rookies like Colt Keith, Justyn-Henry Malloy, and Wenceel Pérez stepping up significantly. However, the team has missed Carpenter’s impressive performance against right-handed pitchers, where he has a .310 batting average and a 1.004 OPS.
There’s finally some positive news regarding Carpenter’s recovery. He began a rehab assignment in Triple-A on Tuesday, going 1-for-4 in his first game with the Mud Hens. While it’s unclear how long the Tigers will keep him in the minors, it’s likely that Carpenter will return to the majors by mid-month if his progress continues smoothly.
Even though the Tigers are out of the playoff race, Carpenter’s return will still be a boost, helping the team finish the season on a strong note.
Here are the latest injury updates for the Detroit Tigers:
Kerry Carpenter is making encouraging progress in his recovery. After being sidelined since May 27 due to lumbar spine inflammation, later revealed to be symptomatic of a stress fracture, he finally began a rehab assignment in Triple-A, going 1-for-4 in his first game with the Mud Hens. Although his return to the majors is not yet set, it’s likely he could be back by mid-month if all goes well.
Casey Mize is also on the path to recovery, with his first rehab start scheduled for Thursday in Triple-A. Mize was placed on the 60-day IL on July 29 with a hamstring strain, a move that was necessary to clear roster space but one that Mize was unhappy about, as it delays his eligibility to return until early September. Despite feeling ready to pitch sooner, Mize is set for an extended stay in Toledo as the Tigers continue to manage a depleted rotation.
Reese Olson and Riley Greeneare both working their way back as well. Olson, who has been out since July 21 with a shoulder strain, is currently throwing on flat ground. Greene, who suffered a hamstring strain shortly after Olson, has begun taking batting practice and started running. While both are making progress, it will still be some time before they return to the field.
Despite these challenges, Carpenter’s progress is a positive sign, and the hope is that he can finish the season strong and remain healthy for a full campaign next year.
