Kerry Carpenter begins injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo
· Yahoo Sports
CHICAGO – The Detroit Tigers need offense.
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Kerry Carpenter struggled with a 34.2% strikeout rate before suffering a left shoulder sprain, but he has a track record of hitting for contact and power. He has been a weapon against right-handed pitchers and opposing managers try to work around him because of his ability to change the game with one swing.
He is nearing a return to the Tigers.
The 28-year-old – a right fielder who often serves as the designated hitter, began a rehab assignment Friday, May 29, with Triple-A Toledo. The Mud Hens are playing against the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio.
Carpenter has been on the 10-day injured list since May 10.
It's unclear when he will join the Tigers.
Carpenter suffered the left AC joint sprain on a misplay in right field, slamming his shoulder into the side wall as the ball skipped past him for an inside-the-park home run.
In 2026, Carpenter is hitting .216 with six home runs, 11 walks and 40 strikeouts across 37 games, registering a .750 OPS. He has been worth minus-four defensive runs saved in the outfield, including minus-three across 150⅓ innings in right field.
Without Carpenter, the Tigers haven't been able to find power in their everyday lineup. His .235 isolated power ranks first among the 10 position players with at least 100 plate appearances.
The Tigers are averaging 3.82 runs per game in 2026, ranking 26th among the 30 MLB teams.
This story will be updated.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Kerry Carpenter injury: Toledo Mud Hens rehab games