Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter had been dealing with a bruised left heel, and he now has been dealing with plantar fasciitis in the same foot, which has him trending towards a stint on the injured list, manager A.J. Hinch said before Monday's game against the Orioles. Catcher Eduardo Valencia has a locker prepared and is on his way from Triple-A Toledo.
Carpenter, who left Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Royals with a flare-up of his foot issues, has struggled mightily in July, hitting just 6-for-52. Overall this season, he has hit just .208 with 13 homers and 36 RBIs in 81 games, a far cry from his .258 career average.
Valencia, 26, has hit 5-for-12 with two homers in six games with the Tigers this season, his first Major League action. He has hit .262 with 17 homers and 58 RBIs in 81 games with Toledo this season.