The Detroit Tigers have announced the return of power-hitting outfielder Kerry Carpenter from the injured list. After being sidelined for over two months due to a lumbar spine stress fracture, Carpenter will make his much-anticipated comeback in Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park.

Carpenter, a lefty hitter known for his prowess against right-handed pitching, will take on the role of designated hitter in Tuesday's lineup. Manager A.J. Hinch expressed his excitement about Carpenter's return, emphasizing the need to gradually increase his activity and ensure his readiness for gameplay.

"He's going to be a guy that I'm going to ramp into activity," Hinch stated on MLB Network Radio's "Power Alley," hosted by Mike Ferrin and Jim Duquette. "He's going to play a little bit of outfield. He's going to DH a lot. He had a really good rehab assignment. That'll be a big boost for us, even though he won't play every single day."

Before his return to the majors, Carpenter embarked on a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Toledo last week. The former 19th-round draft pick showcased his progress by participating in four of six games, demonstrating his readiness to return to action. During his rehab stint, he recorded a .214 batting average with one walk and five strikeouts while also gaining experience in the outfield.

In the upcoming 2024 season, Carpenter has displayed impressive performance, boasting a .283 batting average with eight home runs, 11 walks, and 38 strikeouts across 50 games. His exceptional performance has resulted in an outstanding .914 OPS.

Carpenter's prowess against right-handed pitching is particularly noteworthy. As a left-handed hitter, he has excelled in these matchups, posting a remarkable .310 batting average and a .1004 OPS. This impressive performance ranks him seventh among all hitters with at least 140 plate appearances against righties, placing him in esteemed company alongside stars such as Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Rafael Devers, Kyle Tucker, Juan Soto, and Bobby Witt Jr.

With the Tigers currently ranking 26th in MLB for their production against right-handed pitching, Carpenter's return promises to provide a significant boost to their offensive output. His ability to excel in these situations will undoubtedly contribute to the team's overall success as they continue their quest for victories in the upcoming season.