Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter has entered the final phase of his return to Major League Baseball by starting an injury rehabilitation assignment with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. On Tuesday, Carpenter took the field as the designated hitter, batting second in the lineup during a game against Jacksonville. Players returning from injury often begin their rehab assignments in the DH role before transitioning back to their regular positions. Carpenter’s return to action included four at-bats, in which he managed one hit while striking out twice.

Carpenter’s performance in the field is expected to follow later in the week, with the Tigers aiming to have him back in the Major League lineup sometime this month. Carpenter had been sidelined since late May after being diagnosed with a lumbar spine stress fracture, an injury serious enough to place him on the 60-day injured list. His absence was a significant blow to the Tigers’ offense, as Carpenter had been in the midst of a potentially career-best season, showcasing a .283 batting average, a .342 on-base percentage, a .572 slugging percentage, and a .914 OPS, alongside eight home runs and 29 RBIs over 50 games.

Carpenter’s progress in his brief Major League career has been notable. In his first full season in 2022, he batted .278 with a .340 OBP and a .471 slugging percentage, accumulating 20 home runs and 64 RBIs across 118 games. His earlier stint with the Tigers in 2022 saw him hit .252/.310/.485 with six home runs and 10 RBIs in just 31 games. Drafted by Detroit in the 19th round of the 2019 MLB Draft following a standout college career at Virginia Tech, Carpenter’s development was briefly stalled by the cancellation of the minor-league season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he quickly made up for lost time, beginning 2021 in Double-A Erie before earning a promotion to Toledo in 2022. His impressive performance, including being named Eastern League Player of the Month in May 2022, led to his eventual call-up to the Major Leagues.

While Carpenter works his way back to the Tigers, another key player, pitcher Casey Mize, is also nearing a return. Mize, who has been out with a left hamstring strain and was placed on the 60-day injured list in June, is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment with the Toledo Mud Hens on Wednesday. Mize’s recovery process is expected to take some time, as he is not eligible to be activated until the end of August. According to Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, this rehab assignment will allow Mize to build up his pitch count, with the goal of reaching 85 pitches before he is reintroduced to the Tigers’ rotation.

Additionally, outfielder Riley Greene is progressing well in his recovery from a right hamstring strain and is expected to begin a rehab assignment soon. Greene is currently with the Tigers on their road trip, continuing his rehabilitation under the team’s supervision.

The return of these key players could provide a significant boost to the Tigers as they look to finish the season strong. Carpenter’s power at the plate, Mize’s potential on the mound, and Greene’s presence in the outfield are all critical components for a team eager to regain competitiveness in the closing months of the season.