CHICAGO -- A struggling Tigers offense is receiving a jolt.
The team is activating outfielder Kerry Carpenter from the 10-day IL. Infielder Gage Workman was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to make room on the active roster. Carpenter returned to bat fourth and man the DH role for the Tigers in Sunday’s finale against the White Sox at Rate Field.
“Obviously nice to get Carp back and in the lineup,” manager A.J. Hinch said before Sunday’s contest. “He had two rehab games, three if you count the Verlander sim game, and he’s ready to go. He’s seen the ball well. He feels healthy, and we’re excited to get him back in the lineup.”
The Tigers have been in a freefall this month -- their 6-21 record is the worst in the month of May since going 4-23 in 1996. They’ve scored just 80 runs this month and have posted a .602 OPS as a team. Both marks are the worst in the Majors in that span. The Tigers enter Sunday’s finale 27th in runs scored and OPS this season.
Carpenter landed on the IL on May 10 after he crashed into the right-field wall at Kauffman Stadium on May 9 in Kansas City, and the Tigers are 4-15 without the slugger in the lineup. He was hitting just .176 in eight games in May before the injury, but had six home runs and an .819 OPS in the first 29 games of the season.
“I mean, it’s brutal,” Carpenter said pregame on Sunday after being out the last three weeks. “It’s no fun to be on the sideline when we’re doing well or when we’re doing poorly.
“I have a lot of confidence that I can help a lineup when I’m in it. It’s exciting to be able to do that.”
Carpenter was 1-for-3 with two walks in two rehab games with Toledo before being activated off the IL. He exited Saturday’s contest with the Mud Hens after two plate appearances and hopped into a car service to Chicago to meet the team before Sunday’s matinee at a ballpark he’s thrived in.
Entering the finale, the 28-year-old slashed .323/.408/.565 (.973 OPS) with four home runs in 19 games at Rate Field.
“Obviously, he’s a big part of our offense, and especially when he provides the threat of both good at-bats and the long ball,” Hinch said. “They have to deal with him in the middle of our order today and there’s history here obviously. He’s hit in this park. He’s hit in every park and that presence in a lineup matters and I’m certainly happy with that.”