Kerry Carpenter plays despite hamstring injury, hits RBI single before Tigers lose Game 5

Detroit Tigers slugger Kerry Carpenter was undergoing treatment Friday and resting a hamstring injury that could keep him out of Saturday's decisive Game 5 of AL Division Series against Cleveland Guardians.

Carpenter, who hit a three-run homer to win Game 2, got hurt while rounding third and scoring in sixth inning on Thursday night. His run gave Detroit le before Guardians rallied to win 5-4 and even back-and-forth series.

Manager A.J. Hinch said team is waiting to see how Carpenter's injury responds before making any lineup or roster decisions.

“We’re going to take as much time as we can to see what he can and can’t handle," Hinch said before Tigers worked out in Progressive Field. "It’s obvious what he’s dealing with and we’re going to hope for best as we move forward because he’s important to our team and our lineup.

“I don’t know right now what that’s going to be and we’ll make a game-time decision.”

Hinch's comments came before MLB changed start time seven hours, moving first pitch from 8:08 p.m. to 1:08 p.m. switch was me due to potential for inclement wear, MLB said in a release.

Carpenter is a vital part of Detroit's lineup. His stunning three-run homer off Cleveland All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase gave Tigers a 3-0 win in Game 2. He hit 18 homers in just 87 games during season despite missing significant time with a stress fracture in his lower back.

If Tigers have to replace Carpenter on ir roster, he would be ineligible if team vances to play New York Yankees in ALCS.

Hinch said his focus was only on finding a way to vance.

“re is no series if you don’t win tomorrow," Hinch said. “ No. 1 goal is to win and we’ll make right decision for us that we feel is best for us.”

Bligh Mris, who has been working out with or Detroit players in Toledo during series, is with Tigers and would be likely replacement for Carpenter. Mris batted .269 in 21 games for Detroit this season.

Also, Tigers catcher Jake Rogers said he was sore but orwise fine after being hit with two foul balls on left hand in Thursday's game.