Tigers Bring Back Kerry Carpenter Hoping for Much-Needed Offensive Spark

Kerry Carpenter is back, at least in the Tigers’ clubhouse. 

Detroit activated the left-handed slugger back from the injured list Sunday, clearing the roster spot by sending out Trey Sweeney to Triple-A Toledo. Carpenter had been out since early July with a hamstring strain.

The Tigers have to hope that Carpenter’s return sparks their lineup. Detroit has lost six straight and 12 of its last 13.  

Before the injury, Carpenter was one of the Tigers’ most consistent hitters. In 53 games, he batted .283 with 10 home runs and an .856 OPS. He also posted a strong .523 slugging percentage and gave Detroit much-needed balance from the left side of the plate. He went 6-for-14 with a homer and two doubles on his rehab assignment.

Carpenter returns at a time when the Tigers’ offense has been struggling. Detroit has dropped 11 of its last 13 games and entered Sunday near the bottom of the American League in most major offensive categories since the All-Star break.

Sweeney, 24, was added to the roster Saturday but did not appear in a game. Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers last July in the Jack Flaherty trade, Sweeney has hit well at Triple-A but remains a depth option for now. He’s slashing .272/.360/.429 with seven homers in 70 games for Toledo this season.

Carpenter’s return gives manager A.J. Hinch another left-handed bat to plug into the middle of the lineup alongside Riley Greene. If his swing looks anything like it did pre-injury, it could be exactly the spark the Tigers need.