Kerry Carpenter makes spring debut in Tigers' recreation vs. Braves – MLB.com

Jason Beck
NORTH PORT, Fla. — Kerry Carpenter drove two hours right here from the Tigers’ Spring Coaching house in Lakeland to get his first recreation at-bats of Spring Coaching … in opposition to Spencer Strider and Charlie Morton.
That’s how badly Carpenter wished to play after being sidelined by a left hamstring pressure early in camp. As he walked off the sphere for a pinch-runner, having singled off Morton in Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to the Braves, his smile stretched from ear to ear.
“It was a great welcome to it,” Carpenter mentioned.
His supervisor additionally needed to be comfortable. With Carpenter again, A.J. Hinch can plan out his lineup over the following few weeks earlier than the Tigers open their common season on March 28 in opposition to the White Sox, figuring out the center of the order is prepared.
Although Carpenter was rewarded with successful off Morton, his first at-bat in opposition to Strider was arguably extra spectacular. He tracked Strider’s energy fastball effectively, fouled off some pitches and labored a full depend earlier than connecting with a 98 mph heater and sending a fly ball to the warning observe in left-center.
“I sort of clipped it,” Carpenter mentioned. “I didn't actually get all of it, however sufficient the place I knew I had an opportunity, particularly with the wind serving to that method. It was a great at-bat.”
Carpenter credited the dwell batting apply at-bats he received final week — as much as 10 a day, round 30-40 whole by Carpenter’s estimation — in opposition to Tigers pitchers with serving to put together him for Strider, notably high pitching prospect Jackson Jobe.
“Jobe was very related,” Carpenter mentioned.
These at-bats additionally made a distinction with Hinch.
“He didn’t actually miss something however recreation time,” Hinch mentioned. “He received a ton of labor in. He’s both at or forward of the place any of our gamers are in camp offensively.”
Carpenter noticed extra offspeed from Strider in his subsequent at-bat, grounding right into a double play. He had the same problem from Morton, who froze him on a breaking ball earlier than Carpenter recovered to hit a fastball for a single.
The Tigers are off solely on Wednesday, so Carpenter received’t get any at-bats. He’ll begin at DH once more on Thursday within the Tigers’ split-squad recreation in opposition to the Yankees in Tampa. He’ll get some recreation work within the outfield after that.
Olson meets problem
Reese Olson’s third begin of the spring featured extra of his full arsenal over three scoreless innings. However with a runner in scoring place and two outs within the second and third innings, he went with what he trusted.
The third inning was a specific take a look at, with a runner on third and Ozzie Albies on the plate. Albies labored a 2-0 depend and was able to swing. Olson didn’t wish to give in.
“Simply wished to get again within the strike zone,” Olson mentioned. “That kinda occurred [in] the second inning as effectively, runner on base, getting fast. I do know what my mechanical cue is that I must not have that, so it’s simply sort of locking in and ensuring I’m not dashing with runners on base.”
Olson threw back-to-back 94 mph fastballs. Albies fouled off one and whiffed on one other earlier than Olson fanned him on a slider.
“Having a runner in scoring place with two outs is large,” he mentioned. “I’m glad I used to be in a position to lock in proper there and get him out.”
One other sturdy outing from Flores
Wilmer Flores, the No. 10 prospect in MLB Pipeline’s newest Tigers rankings, had his fastball buzzing once more in his third outing of the spring, reaching 99 mph on the stadium radar gun whereas sitting at 96-97 on his fastball. Simply as vital, he was in a position to combine in his different stuff.
Flores fanned Travis d’Arnaud on a 99 mph heater to finish the fourth inning, and Eli White on 98 mph to start the fifth. After a David Fletcher single put a runner on, Flores threw three consecutive fastballs to arrange a breaking ball to fan Luis Liberato.
“Any younger energy pitcher who can find secondary pitches will profit from it,” Hinch mentioned. “Wilmer has a very good fastball, actually good extension, ball cuts, actually good command of it. The breaking ball has to return with it.”
Flores completed with two scoreless innings on two hits with a stroll and three strikeouts. He has seven strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings by three appearances.

source