Tigers Injury Update: Kerry Carpenter timeline, Sawyer Gipson-Long setback, Alex Cobb

Kerry Carpenter hasn't appeared in a game for the Detroit Tigers since June 28, but Tuesday saw him take a significant step toward his eventual return from the injured list.

Carpenter, who has been on the IL since June 30 with a hamstring strain, began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo and went 1-for-4 with a single as a designated hitter. Before the injury, he hit .257 with 16 home runs and a .780 OPS in 78 games.

Carpenter is expected to play six innings in the outfield on Wednesday and will need multiple rehab games before he rejoins the Tigers, but Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press floated July 25 against the Toronto Blue Jays as a potential return date.

Tigers Injury Update: Sawyer Gipson-Long setback, José Urquidy recovery, Alex Cobb

Right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long, who has been on the IL since June 29, struggled in his latest rehab start at Triple-A Toledo on July 18. After he threw 77 pitches and got lit up for seven runs on nine hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings, the Tigers pulled him off his rehab assignment and determined he wouldn't start for another seven days.

While Gipson-Long hasn't been shut down from throwing, he is still dealing with neck stiffness and general fatigue. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen session soon, and his maximum of 30 days on a rehab assignment will reset once he returns.

José Urquidy, who is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, threw a live batting practice Tuesday at the Tigers' facility in Lakeland, Fla. The Tigers signed Urquidy to a one-year, $1 million contract with a $4 million club option in March, but he won't be able to pitch for them until mid-August at the earliest.

Urquidy hasn't pitched in an MLB game since 2023, when he posted a 5.29 ERA with 25 walks and 45 strikeouts across 63 innings in 16 games (10 starts) for the Houston Astros. Once he is healthy, he projects to be an option in the Tigers' starting rotation down the stretch and into the postseason.

Veteran right-hander Alex Cobb, who still has yet to pitch a game for the Tigers since he signed in free agency last offseason, continues to deal with lingering issues in his hip. He received another round of injections before the All-Star break and completed a bullpen session on Tuesday, leaving the Tigers hopeful that he will be able to return at some point later this season. But we wouldn't hold our breath.

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