Detroit Tigers DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (hamstring), who has been facing live pitching on the back fields at camp, will continue his return-to-play progression by running the bases on Friday. Carpenter has been dealing with a left-hamstring strain that he suffered last week. While the 26-year-old has been held out of Grapefruit League games, he could start playing in spring training games soon. Barring a setback with his hamstring, he'll have time to get ready for Opening Day at the end of March. In his first full big-league season in 2023, Carpenter surprised everyone by hitting .278/.340/.471 with an .811 OPS, 20 home runs, 64 RBI and six stolen bases in 118 games. It's fair to wonder how much more upside the former 19th-round pick has, though, especially after his poor finish last year and given his struggles against lefties. He's still worth a late-round pick as outfield depth, though.

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal will start the team's Opening Day game on March 28 against the Chicago White Sox, according to manager A.J. Hinch. Skubal only made 15 starts for the Tigers last year after he got a late start to the season due to flexor-tendon surgery on his arm, but he was strong in those 15 starts, posting a 2.80 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with 102 strikeouts in only 80 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old southpaw will have some workload concerns for fantasy managers, but if he's fully healthy, the upside is obvious. He's been pumping his fastball in the high-90s this spring and has looked good, adding even more intrigue around him in fantasy drafts as a low-end fantasy ace/high-end No. 2 starter to target. The matchup against the White Sox to kick things off in 2024 will be an excellent one, too.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal threw two innings of scoreless ball in Wednesday's 5-3 Grapefruit League win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The southpaw did not allow a hit in the appearance while walking one and striking out a pair of batters. It was an encouraging start for a pitcher with some high expectations coming into 2024. His impressive, albeit somewhat short, 2023 season has pushed his draft stock way up. The former ninth-round MLB draft pick got a late start but finished 7-3 with a 2.80 ERA (2.77 SIERA, 2.28 xERA), 0.90 WHIP, and a 28.4% K-BB% in 15 starts (80 1/3 IP) last season, leading to talk of a possible Cy Young in 2024. His repertoire includes a fastball that can hit 99 mph to go along with a nasty changeup or slider. His NFBC ADP stands at 54th overall, but RotoBaller is higher on the lefty, ranking him at 44th overall. With the upside of an ace, Skubal will make a fine second pitcher on fantasy pitching staffs.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (hamstring) is out early on Tuesday doing some running work at spring training, which is a good sign for him after being diagnosed with a mild hamstring strain last Friday. The 26-year-old is considered day-to-day right now and is going to be held out of Grapefruit League games for the time being as a precaution. Still, it would be a surprise if Carpenter isn't ready to go for Opening Day in late March. He earned an everyday role for the Tigers by hitting .278/.340/.471 with an .811 OPS, 20 home runs, 17 doubles, two triples, 64 RBI, six stolen bases and 57 runs scored in 118 games and 459 trips to the plate in 2023 in his first full season in the bigs. However, he had a long dry spell in the power department late last year and struggled against lefties. If those trends continue, a platoon role could be on tap for Carpenter.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (elbow) is starting in right field and is batting leadoff for Tuesday's Grapefruit League contest against the Toronto Blue Jays. Greene made his spring training debut on Monday as the designated hitter but will now return to the outfield for the first time in game action since having Tommy John surgery on his right (non-throwing) elbow last September. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter looked even better in his second major-league season in 2023 before suffering his season-ending elbow injury. Greene slashed .288/.349/.447 with 11 home runs, 19 doubles, four triples, 37 RBI, seven stolen bases and 51 runs scored in 99 games played. If he can cut down on his strikeouts and make some more contact, he'll have even more upside for fantasy managers as a No. 3 outfielder.