Outfielder Kerry Carpenter left Sunday’s matchup between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins in the fifth inning due to tightness in his left hamstring—an issue that has plagued him throughout the 2024 season.
According to Evan Woodbery of MLive.com, Carpenter is scheduled for an MRI on Monday to evaluate the extent of the injury and determine his recovery plan. Despite his exit, the Tigers went on to defeat the Twins 3-0.
The injury occurred during a key moment when Carpenter hit an RBI triple down the right-field line—his second straight game with an extra-base hit. As he rounded second and slid into third, he showed visible discomfort and appeared to clutch the back of his left leg.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch and assistant athletic trainer Kelly Rhoades quickly came out to check on him. Carpenter was then taken out of the game and replaced by Wenceel Perez, who stayed in right field.
Lingering Issue Dating Back to 2023
After the game, Kerry Carpenter explained that he first felt his hamstring tighten during a defensive play earlier in the game, with the discomfort worsening during his triple.
“It feels similar to the last time I dealt with this,” Carpenter said. “The staff has done a great job helping me bounce back quickly before, so we’ll see how things go. I think everyone’s feeling pretty optimistic.”
Carpenter’s hamstring issues date back to spring training in 2023, when a strain forced him to miss time. The problem resurfaced during the 2023 AL Division Series, limiting him to a pinch-hit appearance in a pivotal Game 5 due to running discomfort.
Throughout 2024, the injury has been managed with compression sleeves and rest days, but it has led to several last-minute lineup changes—most recently on June 4. While Carpenter has yet to be placed on the injured list this season, both he and the team remain hopeful that won’t be necessary. The upcoming MRI will provide a clearer picture.
Strong Tigers Weekend Marred by Injury
The timing of Kerry Carpenter’s latest injury couldn’t be more frustrating for the 26-year-old slugger. He had just begun to rediscover his rhythm at the plate, hitting home runs in consecutive games on Saturday and Sunday. When healthy, Carpenter provides a reliable source of power, and his strong plate discipline and ability to drive the ball into the gaps are key components of the Tigers’ offensive makeup.
Before exiting Sunday’s contest, Carpenter was 2-for-3 with a home run and a triple.
If he ends up on the injured list, Detroit may need to reshuffle its lineup and outfield depth, which would be another challenge for a team still searching for consistent offense.
“It’s really annoying,” Carpenter told Christian Romo of the Detroit Free Press. “Everyone’s been working hard on it. It’s tough to pinpoint, but we’ll see how things go from tonight on.”
Carpenter is scheduled for an MRI on Monday, which will determine whether he can return soon or face additional time on the sidelines. For now, both he and the team remain cautiously optimistic heading into the holiday week.
