Just In: Pair of injured Tigers on the path towards making return

On Saturday, two Tigers players recovering from injuries faced off in live batting practice, demonstrating their progress towards returning to the field. Outfielder Kerry Carpenter and right-hander Casey Mize both had strong performances during the session, with Carpenter hitting a long home run and a single off Mize.

Carpenter, who will turn 27 in September, has been on the injured list since May due to a lumbar spine stress fracture. Before his injury, he was having an outstanding season, batting .283/.347/.572 with 10 doubles, four triples, and eight home runs in just 50 games. His performance resulted in an impressive wRC+ of 149, and his return is anticipated to significantly enhance the Tigers’ lineup as they push through the remainder of the season. Carpenter indicated to reporters, including Chris McCoskey of The Detroit News, that he is likely to start a rehab assignment within the week. With both Carpenter and Riley Greene currently on the IL, the Tigers’ outfield has been made up of Matt Vierling, Wenceel Perez, and Parker Meadows.

 

 

Despite Carpenter’s success, Mize also showed promise during his two innings of work. According to MLB.com’s Injury Tracker, Greene, who also faced Mize, remarked that the right-hander appeared confident and effective with his pitches. Mize, sidelined for just over a month due to a hamstring strain, is not eligible to return from the 60-day IL until August 31, but he may soon begin his own rehab assignment as he prepares for a return to the majors. Mize has had a mixed season, with a league-average 4.23 ERA but a stronger 3.69 FIP in 78 2/3 innings. His return is particularly significant after missing the entirety of 2023 due to Tommy John surgery, following only two starts in 2022.

The Tigers will welcome Mize’s eventual return to the rotation, especially given the current struggles of their starting staff. Following the trade of Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers and Reese Olson’s shoulder strain, the team faces uncertainty beyond ace Tarik Skubal. Rookies Bryan Sammons and Keider Montero have posted ERAs above 5.00 and 6.00, respectively, while veteran Kenta Maeda, with a 7.26 ERA in 16 starts, has recently been moved to the bullpen.

 

 

Maeda has shown improvement since the transition, with a 4.40 ERA and a 4.14 FIP in 14 1/3 innings across four relief appearances. As noted by Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, manager A.J. Hinch recently mentioned that while the plan is for Maeda to eventually return to the rotation, he will remain in the bullpen for now, getting regular work akin to a starting pitcher’s routine. The Tigers hope Maeda can regain his form in the final months of the 2024 season, looking ahead to the last year of his two-year, $24M contract in 2025.