Colt Keith was a late scratch Tuesday against the Houston Astros because of soreness in his right wrist. The Detroit Tigers designated hitter had been scheduled to face right-hander Hunter Brown.
Keith, 24, had delivered a standout performance the previous day. In Monday’s 9-3 win over the Astros he hit three home runs and drove in a career-high six runs, becoming the second-youngest Tiger to achieve a three-homer game.
The only other Detroit player to hit three home runs in a game before turning 25 was Hall of Famer Al Kaline, who accomplished the feat at age 20 against the Kansas City Athletics on April 17, 1955.
Kerry Carpenter moved from right field to designated hitter in the revised lineup. Wenceel Pérez took Keith’s spot in the batting order and replaced Carpenter in right field.
Keith had been returning from the injured list and entered Tuesday with a 3-for-7 career mark against Brown that included a double.