Two Detroit Tigers' Key Contributors Nearing Return
Some much-needed offensive help may be on the way for the Detroit Tigers.
Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reported on Thursday that outfielder Kerry Carpenter (left shoulder) and infielder Gleyber Torres (oblique) will be heading to Triple-A Toledo on Friday to begin rehab assignments. Woodbery also reported that Carpenter will immediately begin his rehab while Torres may have to wait a day or two for his.
Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter and infielder Gleyber Torres will head to Toledo tomorrow for a rehab assignment. Carpenter will play immediately, Torres might be a day or two behind.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) May 28, 2026
It goes without saying that the Tigers have been decimated by injuries this season to both their starting lineup and pitching staff. It has resulted in Detroit beginning Thursday tied for last place in the American League Central with the Kansas City Royals.
Now with this latest injury update on two of their top hitters, the Tigers' offense could soon seen a much-needed boost.
Carpenter has been on the injured list since May 9 with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. He sustained it after crashing into the right-field wall at Kauffman Stadium while attempting to track down a fly ball in a game against the aforementioned Royals.
Despite the initial severity of his injury, the 28-year-old has progressed well during his rehab, even squaring off against teammate Justin Verlander during a simulated game last week. The future Hall of Famer is also on the IL with left hip inflammation.
In 37 games this season, Carpenter is batting .216/.299/.451 with six home runs, 17 RBI and a .750 OPS.
As for Torres, he's been on the shelf over the last four weeks with a left oblique strain. He is expected to return from the IL by early June if his rehab goes smooth.
Torres, who was an All-Star last season during his first year in Detroit, is batting .259/.389/.328 with two long balls, 11 RBI and an OPS of .716 in 32 games.
Carpenter and Torres aren't the only hitters that are currently out of the Tigers lineup. Javier Báez has on the IL since April 29 with a right ankle sprain. There is still no timetable for Báez's return, as it was reported early this week that he would see a specialist for his injured right ankle, which has shown no signs of improving.
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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 1:05 PM.