The Detroit Tigers have been dealt another tough break, as slugger Kerry Carpenter was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday morning with a left shoulder injury. The move comes just hours before the team's series finale against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Carpenter's injury occurred during Saturday's game in a moment that will be replayed for years to come. In the first inning, he crashed hard into the side wall in foul territory while trying to track down a fly ball off the bat of Bobby Witt Jr. The misplay resulted in a stunning inside-the-park home run for the Royals' star shortstop, and Carpenter's shoulder paid the price.
The 28-year-old has been a key piece of the Tigers' lineup when healthy, but injuries have been a recurring theme throughout his five-year MLB career. He's currently batting .216 with six home runs and 11 walks over 37 games, posting a .750 OPS. His 40 strikeouts suggest he's been pressing at the plate, and this latest setback will only add to the frustration.
To fill the roster spot, Detroit has called up infielder Gage Workman from Triple-A Toledo. The 26-year-old switch-hitter is no stranger to the big leagues, having already appeared in 12 games this season between the Chicago Cubs (9 games) and Chicago White Sox (3 games).
Workman's journey back to the Tigers has been a whirlwind. Originally drafted by Detroit in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Arizona State, he was selected by the Cubs in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft after the Tigers left him unprotected. He made his MLB debut on Opening Day 2025 with Chicago, but was designated for assignment in late April. The White Sox picked him up in a trade, but after just three games, they too designated him for assignment. Once he cleared waivers, the Rule 5 process brought him full circle back to the Tigers.
Workman's path has been anything but conventional. He initially hit right-handed but eventually abandoned it due to strikeout issues, focusing solely on his left-handed swing. That decision paid off in a big way during his first game back with the organization, as he smashed a three-run triple for Toledo.
As for Carpenter, there's no clear timeline for his return. The Tigers will hope for a speedy recovery, but given his history of injuries, patience will be key. For now, Detroit's lineup will have to adjust without one of its most dangerous bats.