Kerry Carpenter has been a beacon of hope for the Detroit Tigers, yet there's one milestone he's yet to conquer: a full, healthy season in the majors. Despite his postseason heroics and powerful opposite-field hits that have already cemented his place in Detroit's baseball lore, Carpenter's journey has been more about resilience than celebration.
Over the past two seasons, Carpenter's battle with injuries has been relentless. Last year, he revealed he endured five hamstring strains within a single year-four during the 2025 season and another during the 2024 postseason. These setbacks quietly chipped away at his explosiveness, forcing him to juggle between competing and safeguarding his health.
The injury saga began on Easter Sunday with a hamstring pull after an infield single. Two more strains followed in May, and another in late June while chasing a ball against Minnesota, which finally sidelined him.
Yet, Carpenter's determination shone through. He smashed three home runs in a single game against the White Sox in June and finished the season with 26 homers over 130 games, a career high.
But the stats don't tell the full tale.
Between June 2-28, Carpenter's batting average dipped to .169 as he battled pain that altered his swing and approach. During one stretch, he went 94 plate appearances without a walk-uncharacteristic for a hitter known for his disciplined aggression.
Carpenter believes these hamstring issues weren't mere coincidences. After a lumbar spine stress fracture in 2024, he changed his training regimen, focusing on heavy strength work. This shift tightened his hips and affected his movement.
Recognizing the need for change, Carpenter revamped his offseason training. Instead of building brute strength, he prioritized balance, mobility, and flexibility. Collaborating with Tigers staff, he returned to the training principles that sparked his early success from 2021 to 2023.
The results are promising. In Lakeland this spring, Carpenter appears leaner, impressing teammates and coaches.
Manager A.J. Hinch emphasized the importance of keeping him on the field, underscoring both hope and necessity.
Since 2024, few hitters have been as effective against right-handed pitching as Carpenter, boasting a .883 OPS. Yet, he doesn't see himself as a platoon player. He aims for more at-bats against left-handers and more time in the outfield, especially with Riley Greene expected to take more designated hitter duties.
This season, Carpenter has the chance to finally showcase his full potential over six uninterrupted months. If he can stay healthy, the Tigers might witness a season they've long awaited-and the rest of the American League might not be as thrilled about it.