Tigers expected to put Kerry Carpenter on IL with plantar fasciitis

Detroit — The Tigers on Monday were expected to place outfielder Kerry Carpenter on the 10-day injured list, though that decision was pending one final medical report.

“He’s trending toward the IL, just given the treatment plan and the fact that he will be out the next few days,” manager AJ Hinch said. “We are tracking down two different paths. Either sit him for a few days or put him on the IL and get somebody here.”

That somebody, right-handed hitting Eduardo Valencia, was in the clubhouse before the game awaiting the final decision. Hinch said he expected to make the official announcement before the game.

Carpenter has been playing with a bruised left heel for a couple of weeks. He left the game Sunday after his at-bat in the fourth inning when he grimaced after hitting a fly ball to center field. The Tigers suspect it’s more than just a bruise. They believe he’s dealing with plantar fasciitis.

The Tigers' Kerry Carpenter has aggravated a left heel contusion. — The Tigers’ Kerry Carpenter has aggravated a left heel contusion.

“I’m not a doctor, but I think there was an event,” Hinch said. “It’s somewhat connected to the heel but in a different part of the foot.”

Carpenter was sent to a specialist for a final diagnosis.

The bruise was caused by a molded spike on the bottom of his cleats that was positioned right over his heel. Carpenter, who has long worn Under Armor cleats, recently switched to New Balance.

New Balance has since modified the design and eliminated that spike.

Valencia, who can catch, play first base and serve as a designated-hitter, went 5 for 12 with two homers in a six-game stint with the Tigers earlier in the month. He’s got 17 home runs at Triple-A Toledo.

But replacing the lefty-swinging Carpenter with a right-handed hitter changes the balance of the Tigers’ roster.

“It’s always a balance act,” Hinch said. “We’ve seen Hao-Yu Lee (right-handed hitter) step up against right-handed pitching and not be as much of a platoon decision for us in his role. And there are things we can changes series by series if we need to.”

Shortstop-centerfielder Javier Báez, who went through his workout in Detroit on Monday, will remain on his rehab assignment for now.

“We need to respect the ramp he’s on,” Hinch said. “Today was an off-day for him.”

Báez, out since April 28 with a severe ankle sprain, went 5 for 8 with three doubles in two rehab starts at Triple-A Toledo on Saturday and Sunday. He played six innings at both positions.

It’s been a rough season for Carpenter. His .208/.276/.416 slash line is a career low. He’s hit 13 homers but has gone 6 for 52 in July with no extra-base hits and 14 strikeouts.

Orioles at Tigers

▶ First pitch: 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, Comerica Park, Detroit

▶ TV/radio: Detroit Sports Net/97.1 FM

Scouting report

▶ RHP Dean Kremer (1-3, 5.06), Orioles: This will be just his seventh start, missing most of the first half of the season with a right quad strain. And he hasn’t yet got his legs under him. Boston bashed him for six runs in six innings at Fenway Park in his last start. And in the six starts, opponents are slugging .550 with an .842 OPS. He’s allowed 10 homers in 32 innings.

▶ RHP Troy Melton (5-1, 1.95), Tigers: He’s been his own worst enemy in his last two starts, walking four batters in less than six innings in each. Otherwise, hitters haven’t done much damage against him. He’s holding opponents to a .178 average, .336 slug and .586 OPS. He has one of the best cutters in baseball. Statcast gives it a plus-8 run value and hitters are 4 for 41 against it. Odd stat: left-handed hitters are 6 for 46 against his four-seam fastball but four of those hits are homers.

Chris.McCosky@detroitnews.com

@cmccosky

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers expected to put Kerry Carpenter on IL with plantar fasciitis

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