In a recent announcement, the Detroit Tigers confirmed that outfielder Kerry Carpenter has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a lower back injury. As a result, the team has recalled right-hander Keider Montero as the 27th man for today's doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The news of Montero's promotion was initially reported by Tigers Torkmoil. Outfielder Akil Baddoo has also been recalled from Triple-A Toledo to take Carpenter's spot on the roster. Montero is set to start Game 2 of the doubleheader.

Carpenter shared with the Tigers beat that he started experiencing back discomfort over the weekend and has not seen any improvement thus far. The team has referred to his injury as "lumbar spine inflammation." His last game was played on May 26, so the placement on the injured list has been backdated to May 27. While the Tigers have not provided an exact timeline for his return, if the injury is minor, Carpenter could be eligible to return in eight days.

Carpenter's absence from the lineup will undoubtedly be a significant blow to the Tigers. Despite not garnering as much attention as some of the team's highly-touted prospects, Carpenter has made a strong impression since his debut in 2022. He has produced an impressive batting line of .275/.336/.495, including a standout slash line of .283/.345/.572 and eight home runs in 163 plate appearances this season. While he has struggled against left-handed opponents, Carpenter has excelled against righties with a career .288/.345/.535 output.

With Carpenter sidelined, the Tigers plan to give more playing time to lefty-swinging Zach McKinstry and Akil Baddoo against right-handed opponents. Although they may not replicate Carpenter's production, Baddoo has been performing well in Triple-A Toledo, boasting a strong batting line of .260/.368/.486 (119 wRC+). Moreover, Baddoo has a career .237/.322/.406 batting line against right-handed pitchers in the majors.

Meanwhile, Keider Montero, a 23-year-old right-hander, will be making his major league debut. Signed by the Tigers out of Venezuela in 2016, Montero spent five years in the low minors before reaching the upper levels last season. He climbed from High-A to Triple-A and impressed with a 4.66 ERA, accompanied by a 29.1% strikeout rate. Recognizing his potential, the Tigers added Montero to their 40-man roster during the offseason, with Baseball America ranking him as the organization's 13th prospect.

During the current season, Montero has been on optional assignment to Triple-A Toledo, where he has posted a 4.40 ERA over nine starts. Despite issuing walks at a higher rate than usual (12.7%), he has also struck out almost 27% of batters faced. Montero's scheduled appearance for Toledo on Tuesday was scratched after the Tigers needed to add another arm for the doubleheader.

While Montero's debut is likely to be brief, as the Tigers already have a settled rotation with Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Reese Olson, Kenta Maeda, and Casey Mize, this is still a significant milestone for the young pitcher. Being on the 40-man roster could present Montero with opportunities throughout the season if injuries or scheduling complications require the Tigers to rely on their depth.

As the Tigers navigate the challenges of Carpenter's injury, the team will look to adapt and continue their pursuit of success during the season.