Story by
What happened to Kerry Carpenter? Tigers DH faces critical offseason
- Story by
- What happened to Kerry Carpenter? Tigers DH faces critical offseason
Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter won't play in any of the Tigers' four remaining games this season, which shouldn't be a surprise.
Carpenter has missed 77 games and counting this season while dealing with a series of injuries, most recently a bizarre left foot injury that landed him on the injured list in July. The injury was initially caused by an extra spike in a new cleat that bruised his heel, with the injury eventually developing into plantar fasciitis and an extended stint on the bench.
Advertisement
But Carpenter, who worked out on the field at Comerica Park on Monday, Sept. 21, says he feels ready to have a normal offseason.
"I don't feel like I need any extra drive in the offseason, but it definitely just makes the work that I do going to be even that [much] more intentional and that [much] more focused and ready to go once we get the call to go to spring training," he said Wednesday before the game against the Washington Nationals .
Carpenter said he didn't need surgery but had to keep his foot immobilized, first in a cast for five days and then in a walking boot for another five days, before he could start with light jogging exercises. He sprinted between bases during his workout Monday and appeared to run with no issues, but said his healing came "a little too late" for him to return this season.
"This year has been frustrating and not the year I wanted to have, and not the year we wanted to have as a team," he said.
Advertisement
Carpenter, 29, had emerged as one of the team's best hitters over the past few seasons, putting up an .831 OPS over 335 games from 2023-25.
But the left-handed slugger struggled in 2026 , his fourth full season, with his OPS dipping to .692 over 259 plate appearances – though his 13 home runs through 81 games place him fifth on the team.
Carpenter's injury history and diminishing numbers have Tigers manager A.J. Hinch calling this "one of the most important offseasons of [Carpenter's] career."
"The sheer power threat, or lack of having that, impacted a lot of different things," Hinch said Wednesday. "And for him, who is a continuous learner, who is trying to get better, who wants to be more than just the left-handed DH platoon, being on the field is really important."
Detroit Tigers designated hitter Kerry Carpenter (30) bats against Athletics during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
Hinch didn't blame Carpenter for the injuries, but did say he's going to "attack the offseason" to try to claim an everyday role on the team.
Advertisement
"I think his development is still climbing, I think he has room to grow," Hinch said. "But that constant push to figure out what we can get out of him, both on the field as an outfielder but also as a DH, is going to continue to be something that I look at to see what can we do to get more time out of him."
That's something that Carpenter has been laser-focused on, as well.
"I wanna see what I can do for 162 [games]," he said.
Carpenter is arbitration eligible for two more years, before hitting unrestricted free agency after the 2028 season . He mad $3.275 million this season.
Advertisement
Tigers pitching updates
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (9) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, July 10, 2026.
The Tigers have their three weekend starters set – Jackson Jobe on Friday, Justin Verlander on Saturday and River Ryan on Sunday . Righty Jack Flaherty will also get an appearance, preferably on Saturday or Sunday if Hinch has his way, but no day has been solidified.
"Once he pitches he's done for the season, so the later we pitch him the better when it comes to roster management," he said.
Flaherty hasn't pitched since July 20 while rehabbing from right flexor inflammation.
Hinch confirmed lefty Andrew Sears, who has started in three straight September appearances for the Tigers, will likely pitch on Friday in relief of Jobe. Sears is the Tigers' No. 13 prospect, as ranked by MLB Pipeline .
Advertisement
Need to catch up on the news during your lunch break? Sign up for our Sports Briefing newsletter to get daily summaries of Detroit sports!
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What happened to Kerry Carpenter? Tigers DH faces critical offseason
