Kerry Carpenter seeks to stay healthy after multiple hamstring strains

Kerry Carpenter said he suffered four hamstring strains during last season and also tweaked the hamstring in the 2024 ALDS, and he has changed his offseason training to focus on strength, mobility and durability as he prepares for the 2026 season.

Kerry Carpenter told reporters at the Tigers' spring training facility that he pulled his hamstring multiple times last season and again in the 2024 ALDS. He also spent time on the 60-day injured list in 2024 with a lumbar spine stress fracture. Carpenter said he reworked his offseason program to balance strength, mobility and durability. In camp for 2026 he appears leaner and is preparing to play both corner outfield spots. Known details: - Carpenter said he pulled his hamstring four times during the regular season and also pulled it in Game 4 of the 2024 ALDS, which the article reports as five strains in less than a year. - The first hamstring issue occurred on Easter Sunday; scans led to a brief rest and the team cleared him to play, though he said his speed was affected afterward. - He aggravated the hamstring against the Boston Red Sox in May and again about two weeks later against the Kansas City Royals; those later incidents were diagnosed as Grade 1 strains. - A final tweak against the Minnesota Twins at the end of June preceded an injured list stint; Carpenter also had a 60-day IL stay in 2024 for a lumbar spine stress fracture. - Offensively, Carpenter hit 26 home runs and played a career-high 130 games in 2024, but he endured a midseason slump when he hit .169 from June 2 to June 28 and went 94 plate appearances without a walk at one point. - Carpenter said changes to his training narrowed his focus to earlier methods that prioritized mobility; the team reported he will see time in left field as well as right field during spring camp. Summary: Carpenter's repeated hamstring problems and a prior back injury affected his running and coincided with a midseason offensive decline last year. He adjusted his offseason program and is working in spring training to improve strength and mobility while preparing to play the outfield. How this carries into regular-season availability and performance is undetermined at this time.