Detroit Tigers DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (back) is getting close to heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Carpenter did a regular workout on the field at Comerica Park ahead of Friday's game against the visiting division-rival Minnesota Twins, participating in running, hitting, and fielding drills in his rehab from a lumbar spine stress fracture. There was initial optimism he could get activated off the injured list before the end of July, but Carpenter previously experienced a setback while running. His move to the 60-day injured list last week doesn't affect his timeline for a return, but Carpenter likely won't be back with the Tigers until sometime in mid-to-late August at this point. The 26-year-old left-handed-hitting slugger was slashing a potent .283/.342/.572 with eight home runs, 10 doubles, four triples, and 29 RBI through 163 plate appearances (50 games) as Detroit's primary right fielder and remains worth stashing in most fantasy leagues.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday as he continues to rehab from a left-hamstring strain that he suffered in late June. Saturday's session will be Mize's first time throwing off a mound since he hurt his hammy, and he'll likely need another bullpen before being cleared to face live hitters again. The 27-year-old former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn will also probably need a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining Detroit's starting rotation, so he's likely at least several weeks away from returning. In his first time in the majors since 2022, Mize has gone 2-6 this year with a 4.23 ERA (3.67 FIP) and 1.45 WHIP with a 58:21 K:BB in 16 starts (78 2/3 frames). His 16.8% strikeout rate has left a lot to be desire in fantasy circles in his first year back from injury.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows (hamstring) is scheduled to complete another baserunning session on Saturday and expects to begin a minor-league rehab assignment soon. Meadows continues to complete baseball activities daily as he recovers from a right-hamstring strain that he suffered in early July. The 24-year-old had his first baserunning session on Wednesday and should be cleared to begin a rehab assignment early next week if he avoids a setback with his hamstring on Saturday. The former second-round pick in 2018 has hit just .191/.298/.335 with six homers, 18 RBI and 12 steals in 72 big-league games since making his MLB debut in 2023, but his power/speed combination from the left side will make him attractive in at least deep-mixed leagues when he returns if he's playing regularly for Detroit.

The Detroit Tigers announced on Friday that they placed outfielder Riley Greene (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list with a right-hamstring strain and recalled infielder/outfielder Ryan Vilade from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move. Greene's hamstring injury isn't considered all that serious, so it sounds like the 23-year-old could be back with the Tigers after the minimum of 10 days out. With Greene on the shelf, Mark Canha is starting in left field for Detroit and is batting fifth against the visiting division-rival Minnesota Twins and right-hander Pablo Lopez. Canha, Vilade and Bligh Madris are all candidate for playing time in Detroit's outfield while Greene is out. Greene was a first-time All-Star this year and is currently slashing .264/.357/.485 with a career-high .842 OPS, 17 homers, 51 RBI and four steals in a career-high 101 games played.

With closer Jason Foley being used earlier in the game, the Detroit Tigers turned to relief pitcher Shelby Miller to pick up his second save of the season against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday. Miller allowed a walk but also recorded a strikeout to earn his second save of the season. Foley is still the closer in Detroit, but Miller is likely his insurance should anything happen. On the season, Miller owns a 4.66 ERA with four holds in 36 2/3 innings. Other than the occasional hold or save, Miller doesn't offer much to fantasy managers and can remain on the waiver wire.