The Detroit Tigers will be getting back one of their most productive bats at the perfect time.
On Sunday, the team announced that Kerry Carpenter will be activated from the 10-day IL. Carpenter had been out since early July due to a hamstring ailment.
On the season, Carpenter is hitting .257 with 16 home runs and a .780 OPS. Now, he’ll rejoin the Tigers lineup to give them a much-needed boost offensively.
Detroit needs Carpenter back more than ever. After a blistering start to the season, the Tigers are just 8-14 in the month of July, and have lost 12 of their last 14 games. Prior to his injury, Carpenter had been hot, hitting 3 home runs in his last five games before hitting the shelf.
As a corresponding move, the Tigers optioned INF Trey Sweeney to Triple-A Toledo. Sweeney has provided the team with excellent defensive versatility, but has struggled at the plate. On the season, he’s hitting .208 with 5 home runs and a .578 OPS in 85 appearances.
Despite a dreadful month, the Tigers still hold the second-best record in the American League at 61-46, and still boast a comfortable eight-game lead in the AL Central. With Carpenter back in the lineup, the Tigers are hopeful that they can get back on track as they look to make a deep postseason run this season.
