The Detroit Tigers are hoping slugger Kerry Carpenter can come off the bench in Saturday's decisive Game 5 of the AL Division Series against Cleveland despite dealing with a hamstring injury.
Carpenter got injured while running the bases in Game 4 on Thursday night.
The quick turnaround - and MLB's decision to move the starting time up seven hours, citing a chance of inclement weather - didn't give him much recovery time.
But manager A.J. Hinch said Carpenter took batting practice Friday and was feeling better. Hinch said Carpenter will go through a full pregame workout before the team makes a decision on whether he can play.
"He's sore and he's dealing with some discomfort and not feeling 100, but he's also feeling some adrenaline for Game 5 in the ALDS," Hinch said. "So that's a good counter to not feeling at your best, and hopefully that adrenaline and that excitement will override the issues that he's dealing with.
