Outfielder Kerry Carpenter exited Sunday’s game between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins in the fifth inning with left hamstring tightness, a recurring injury that has shadowed much of his 2025 season.
Evan Woodbery of Mlive.com reported Sunday that Carpenter is slated to undergo an MRI on Monday to assess the severity and determine the next steps in his recovery. The Tigers pulled out a 3-0 victory against the Twins.
The injury flared up during a critical moment. Carpenter ripped an RBI triple down the right-field line, his second extra-base hit in as many days. As he rounded second base and slid into third, he grimaced and appeared to grab the back of his left leg.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch and assistant athletic trainer Kelly Rhoades rushed out to attend to him. Carpenter was removed from the game and replaced by Wenceel Perez, who remained in right field.
Lingering Issue Dating Back to 2023
Speaking after the game, Carpenter revealed that he felt the hamstring tighten up earlier during defensive play in the outfield and more significantly during the triple.
“It feels similar to the last time I had a little issue with it,” Carpenter said. “The staff here has done a great job getting me back pretty quickly, so we’ll see how it goes. I think we’re all pretty optimistic about it.”
Carpenter’s hamstring troubles began back in spring training of 2023, when he suffered a strain that sidelined him early. The issue resurfaced during the 2023 AL Division Series, where he was limited in a key Game 5 pinch-hit appearance due to discomfort while running.
In 2024, the injury has been managed with compression sleeves and periodic rest, but has caused multiple late lineup scratches, most recently on June 4. To date, he has avoided an injured list stint, and both Carpenter and the team are hopeful that this situation won’t change that. Still, an MRI will be the definitive test.
Strong Tigers Weekend Marred by Injury
The timing of the injury couldn’t be more frustrating for the 26-year-old slugger. Carpenter had just hit home runs in back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday, showing signs of regaining his offensive rhythm. His bat has been a steady source of power when healthy, and his plate discipline and gap power are crucial to the Tigers’ offensive identity.
Before exiting Sunday’s matchup, Carpenter went 2-for-3 with a home run and a triple.
If Carpenter lands on the IL, the Tigers may have to adjust their lineup and outfield depth chart.
“It’s really annoying,” Carpenter said of his hamstring tightness, per Christian Romo of the Detroit Free Press. “But, man, everyone has been working hard on it. It’s hard to put a finger on it, but we’ll see how it goes from tonight on.”
Detroit’s offense has struggled to find consistency all season, and Carpenter’s absence would be a blow to their middle-of-the-order production.
Carpenter will undergo an MRI on Monday, and the results will determine whether he can return quickly or faces another stint on the sidelines. Until then, both the player and the club remain positive ahead of the holiday week.
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