Carpenter's ALDS status unclear after tweaking left hamstring in Game 4

DETROIT -- After scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning of Detroit's 5-4 loss to the Guardians in Game 4 of the American League Division Series Thursday at Comerica Park, Tigers designated hitter Kerry Carpenter hobbled into the dugout and down the steps to the clubhouse after tweaking his left hamstring.

Carpenter reached base earlier in the inning on a single to left field, and scored on a big RBI single from Wenceel Pérez, which gave the Tigers a 3-2 lead at the time. While going from second to home, Carpenter appeared to stumble at third base. After attempting to turn on the jets, he pulled up just before scoring at home.

“He's going to get some tests on his left hamstring,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. “He came around third. I think we all saw him start limping back to the dugout, and he couldn't go any further. So we've gotta get him looked at.”

Rookie Jace Jung replaced Carpenter the following inning.

If Carpenter is sidelined, it will be a notable loss for the Tigers, both in the immediate future in Game 5 and down the line if they advance to the ALCS. Carpenter hit a decisive go-ahead homer in Game 2 of the ALDS, which sent the series to Detroit tied, 1-1, at the time. He’s gone 4-for-16 with one home run and one walk this postseason.

Additionally, much like the Guardians, the Tigers do a lot of mixing and matching with the lineup, utilizing their pinch-hitters whenever necessary. Carpenter, a left-handed hitter, also slashed .305/.363/.631 in 236 at-bats against righties in the regular season, so Hinch would be without that bat off the bench if Carpenter is forced to miss Game 5 or more.

Carpenter landed on the injured list from May 29-Aug. 13 with lumbar spine inflammation earlier this season, but he has not dealt with any issues regarding his leg.

“Anytime a player like him has to leave the game, it's concerning,” Hinch said. “But I'm going to hold off any thoughts until the doctors give me an update and he gets imaging and all the things that we need to do prior to Saturday.”

Justyn-Henry Malloy is likely to slot into the lineup for Game 5, especially if the Guardians start Matthew Boyd, who pitched Game 2 opposite Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, although he has not yet been announced as the starter. Malloy went 2-for-3 in Game 2 and has gone 5-for-7 this postseason, including a pinch-hit double off closer Emmanuel Clase in the ninth inning of Game 4.