Pittsburgh — Setbacks, even minor ones, are worrisome this late in the season.
The Detroit Tigers are still optimistic that outfielder Kerry Carpenter will be able to get back and contribute next month, but, on the recommendation of a foot specialist, his rehab program has been paused.
“The diagnosis was just more time needed,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said before Tuesday’s game. “We’re going to slow him down. He will be semi-immobilized for this road trip and then he will report to Lakeland.”
Carpenter has officially been out since July 27 with plantar fasciitis, but he had been trying to play through the pain for a couple of weeks before that. He had just started to increase the intensity and volume of his baseball activities when the symptoms flared again over the weekend.
That’s when he was sent for further evaluation.
“Coming back from planter fasciitis, it’s a nasty back and forth,” Hinch said. “The hitting and running has been paused. We are hoping he can pick that back up as early as next week depending on symptoms. It’s a minor setback to have to slow him down that way but it is the nature of this injury where it’s hit or miss most every day.”
In the 18 games Carpenter played in July before getting shut down, he was struggling (.115/.164/.115 with no extra-base hits, 14 strikeouts and two walks). Even if he can get back to doing baseball activity by next week, he would still be a week or two away from being cleared for what would likely be a longer rehab assignment.
“We’re just honoring and respecting the symptoms,” Hinch said. “He is still going to be doing things at the facility in Lakeland, still getting therapy. Once he comes out of the prescribed rest period, the baseball stuff can pick up. And once that happens, then we go according to if and when the symptoms continue to occur.”
It becomes a matter of pain tolerance, which is where Carpenter was throughout July when he was trying to play through the pain.
Other medical updates:
Lefty reliever Brant Hurter (lumbar spine inflammation) was scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Toledo Tuesday night, his third rehab outing with the Mud Hens. His health, right now, is less of a concern than his performance. He’s had a couple of rough outings, with his velocity down and his command spotty.
Outfielders James Outman (concussion protocol) and Wenceel Perez (fractured orbital bone) were sent to Toledo to continue their rehab work while the Tigers are on the road this week. Neither is ready to play in games.
Right-hander Jack Flaherty (flexor strain) has increased his flat-ground throwing and is progressing toward starting a progression of bullpen sessions.
Outfielder Matt Vierling (left groin strain) is doing full baseball activities in Lakeland and could be cleared soon to play in rehab games.
Outfielder Riley Greene (right hamstring strain) has resumed doing full baseball activity while at the facility in Lakeland.
Chris.McCosky@detroitnews.com
@cmccosky
Tigers at Pirates
First pitch: 12:35 Wednesday, PNC Park, Pittsburgh
TV/radio: Detroit Sports Net/97.1, 107.9
SCOUTING REPORT
RHP Paul Skenes (9-11, 3.88), Pirates: Strange days, indeed. Skenes is grinding through maybe the worst baseball stretch of his life. His ERA over his last six starts is 5.79. His velocity, typically 98-99 mph, has been as low as 95.7 and sitting at 96. The sharpness and command on his pitches have been off, too. That’s why the Pirates have given him three extra days between starts. He will be on eight days of rest for this one.
RHP Jackson Jobe (1-1, 6.23), Tigers: This will be his third start back after the 14-month rehab from Tommy John surgery. The first went smoothly. The second one, against the White Sox last weekend, less than. Consistency, especially with command, can be elusive after such a long absence and with rebuilt body parts. He hit the first two hitters he faced Friday night and it set a tone. Once he started getting into the zone, the White Sox were in full attack mode. He gave up two homers and a triple in a five-run fourth inning.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers pause Kerry Carpenter’s rehab program, more rest prescribed
Reporting by Chris McCosky, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chris McCosky, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
