The Detroit Tigers are turning the page on a shaky June — their worst month so far at 15-11 — by shaking up the roster after two key players landed on the injured list.
Outfielder Kerry Carpenter (hamstring) and right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (neck stiffness) were both sidelined this week. Carpenter aggravated his hamstring while hustling for a triple Sunday against Minnesota, adding to ongoing issues that have dogged him most of the season. Despite being banged up, he’s posted a solid .257 average with 16 homers and 32 RBI.
Meanwhile, Gipson-Long’s neck injury is a blow to a rotation already feeling the strain. While ace Tarik Skubal continues to shine, Casey Mize is managing his own hamstring woes, and Jack Flaherty has struggled mightily in recent outings.
To plug the holes, Detroit called up shortstop Trey Sweeney and right-hander Tyler Owens from Triple-A Toledo. Sweeney, just optioned last week, was hitting .221 with four homers in the minors. Owens, who sports a 5.46 ERA with Toledo, may only be a stopgap until Reese Olson is expected to return to the rotation Friday.
With the trade deadline looming, the Tigers are hoping Sweeney and Owens can stabilize the team and help them start July with a series win over the Nationals.
