Tigers dealing with another potential costly injury alongside Kerry Carpenter after Game 4

As if losing Kerry Carpenter to an apparent injury in Game 4 wasn't enough, the Detroit Tigers now have another potential injury concern heading into Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians.

According to a report from The Detroit News' Chris McCosky following Detroit's Game 4 loss to the Guardians Thursday, Tigers catcher Jake Rogers had his left wrist and forearm wrapped after the game and was set to undergo X-rays. He had been replaced in the ninth inning by a pinch hitter, but it wasn't evident how or when he had been injured during the game.

At 29 years old, Rogers is one of the elder statesmen on a young Tigers roster. After hitting just .197 during the regular season, he has since emerged as somewhat of a cult hero for the Tigers during their unlikely postseason run. In addition to providing valuable veteran leadership in the clubhouse, he has hit at impressive .278 clip over 18 at-bats in six playoff games.

Rogers has also served as the personal catcher to Triple Crown-winning pitcher Tarik Skubal, who is slated to start for the Tigers in a deciding Game 5 Saturday. An official announcement has yet to be made on Rogers' status for the game.

Tigers' Kerry Carpenter exits Game 4 with injury, Game 5 status still unclear

An injury to Rogers is the last thing the Tigers need, especially after losing Carpenter to an apparent injury in the bottom of the seventh inning. Carpenter, Detroit's Game 2 hero, was serving as the designated hitter and had to be replaced by Jace Jung after he evidently suffered an injury while running the bases to come around to score in the sixth inning.

Jung went on to knock in a run with an RBI groundout in the ninth, but the Tigers still fell by a final score of 5-4. Carpenter's injury status for Game 5 is still in question.

Tigers add Bligh Madris to Taxi Squad after Kerry Carpenter injury

While no changes are set in stone, the Tigers will have additional infield help on standby ahead of Saturday's Game 5. Bligh Madris, who hit .269 with a .682 OPS in 67 regular season at-bats, has joined the team's Taxi Squad.

Even with a pair of potential injuries in the lineup, Tigers fans shouldn't hit the panic button just yet. Skubal is the great equalizer, giving them as good a chance as any to win in Game 5, and these Gritty Tigs have built their identity on overcoming impossible odds.

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