JAVIER BÁEZ NEWS

Will have role on 2025 club Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris and manager A.J. Hinch said at their end-of-season media session that they expect Baez (hip) to be ready for spring training an...

Impact Baez underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right hip in early September after dealing with a hip/back issue for much of the campaign. He slashed a pathetic .184/.221/.294 in 2024 and has hit only .221/.262/.347 in his three seasons with the Tigers. However, with three years and $73 million remaining on his contract, there wasn't much of a chance that the team was going to cut him loose at this point. Baez shouldn't be guaranteed anything in regards to playing time in 2025, although the hope is that, with better health, he could at least offer a solid glove at shortstop. Trey Sweeney was the Tigers' primary shortstop down the stretch of the regular season and playoffs and could have a leg up over Baez for the starting job there heading into spring training.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Yankees 1B Anthony Rizzo gets warm reception in return to Wrigley Field

The cheers started when Anthony Rizzo was introduced with the starting lineup for the New York Yankees

SEPTEMBER 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Angels try to break road slide, face the Tigers

The Los Angeles Angels travel to the Detroit Tigers looking to stop a six-game road skid

AUGUST 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

To have season-ending hip surgery The Tigers transferred Baez (hip) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Monday.

Impact Per Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, Baez will undergo season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right hip next week. The veteran shortstop has missed time with hip and back problems this season, although the two injuries seem to be related. The surgery closes the book on another disappointing season for Baez, who finishes with a .516 OPS over 80 games. He is still owed $73 million through 2027. Trey Sweeney and Ryan Kreidler will handle shortstop for Detroit down the stretch.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Tigers SS Javier Báez placed on injured list with hip, spine inflammation

The Detroit Tigers placed shortstop Javier Báez on the 10-day injured list with right hip and lumbar spine inflammation

AUGUST 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Moved to injured list The Tigers placed Baez on the 10-day injured list due to lumbar spine and hip inflammation Friday.

Impact Baez battled right hip discomfort earlier in August and he'll now require a stint on the IL with hip and lumbar spine swelling. It's unclear if the injury is viewed long term or if Baez should be back shortly after the minimum 10 days. Ryan Kreidler was recalled from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move.

AUGUST 23 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to injured list The Tigers placed Baez on the 10-day injured list due to lumbar spine and hip inflammation Friday.

Impact The veteran shortstop battled right hip discomfort earlier in August and he'll now require a stint on the IL with hip and lumbar spine swelling. Baez spent nearly a month on the injured list from June 11 to July 8 due to lumbar spine inflammation as well. It's unclear how long he might be sidelined this time. Ryan Kreidler was recalled from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move, but Trey Sweeney should see the majority of the action at shortstop in Baez's absence.

AUGUST 23 • ROTOWIRE

Could need stint on IL Baez is undergoing tests for an undisclosed injury and could require a trip to the 10-day injured list, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Impact Baez dealt with a hip issue recently, although it's not clear whether that's what's bothering him now. Ryan Kreidler has joined the Tigers in Chicago for their series against the Cubs and will be added to the roster if a transaction involving Baez is required. Baez has been sharing the shortstop job with Trey Sweeney lately, having not made consecutive starts since Aug. 9-10.

AUGUST 23 • ROTOWIRE

Losing work to Trey Sweeney Baez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Impact Baez donned the Golden Sombrero in Tuesday's 3-1 loss, striking out in all four of his plate appearances, including with a runner on second base and two outs in the ninth inning. He now finds himself on the bench for the third time in five games, as he looks to have moved into a part-time role in the wake of shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney receiving a promotion to the big leagues. Baez owns a career-worst .514 OPS for the season and has turned in a .220/.262/.347 slash line (69 wRC+) since signing a six-year, $140 million contract with Detroit in November 2021.

AUGUST 21 • ROTOWIRE

Tigers SS Javier Báez receives a warm reception in his return to Wrigley Field

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez has received a warm welcome in his return to Wrigley Field

AUGUST 21 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Provides offense Thursday Baez went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Mariners.

Impact Baez put Detroit on the board in the eighth inning with his sixth home run of the year. While the six long balls would be his fewest in a season since 2015, the shortstop has gone deep twice in his last three games and five times over his last 16 contests. It's mostly been a lost season for Baez, but this recent power surge could at least prop up his fantasy value during the stretch run if he's able to keep it going.

AUGUST 16 • ROTOWIRE

Javier Báez hits 2-run HR in 8th, Tigers hold M's to 1 hit and cap 3-game sweep with 2-1 victory

Javier Báez hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Detroit Tigers held the Seattle Mariners to one hit and rallied for a 2-1 win to complete a three-game sweep

AUGUST 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Back in lineup Thursday Baez (hip) will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Thursday's game versus the Mariners.

Impact Baez was a late scratch from Wednesday's lineup due to a hip issue, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go in Thursday's series finale. The Tigers will be going for the sweep.

AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE

Managing hip issue Baez was scratched from the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners due to right hip discomfort, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Impact Baez went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer during Monday's contest, and it's unclear when he suffered the injury. The 31-year-old should be considered day-to-day until the team updates his status. Zach McKinstry is starting at shortstop Wednesday and will see more time there while Baez is banged up.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched Wednesday Baez was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners for unspecified reasons.

Impact Baez was scheduled to start at shortstop and bat ninth, but he's now been removed from the starting nine. It's unclear if he's dealing with an injury, but an update should be provided in the near future. Justyn-Henry Malloy will enter the lineup in Baez's place and start in left field, pushing Zach McKinstry to shortstop.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Goes deep in easy win Baez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 15-1 win over the Mariners.

Impact Baez connected for his fifth home run of the season and first this month. It's been a huge struggle overall for the shortstop, as he's still batting just .182 with a .508 OPS after Tuesday's contest. The OPS would be a new career worst for Baez. The 31-year-old's six-year, $140 million contract, which was signed before the 2022 season, continues to look like a massive sunk cost for the Tigers.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Sunday's lineup Baez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Impact Baez started the past two games after dealing with some neck soreness, but he'll exit the starting nine for Sunday's series finale in San Franisco. His .638 OPS through eight games in August is actually an improvement on his .499 OPS for the season. Zach McKinstry is starting at shortstop and batting seventh.

AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE

Swipes bag in return Baez (neck) went 1-for-3 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Giants.

Impact Baez swiped third base and then had no trouble scurrying home after a pair of errant throws by the Giants. He missed just one game with a bout of neck soreness. He's up to eight steals on nine attempts this year, with two of those thefts coming over seven contests in August. The shortstop is slashing just .181/.222/.277 with four home runs, 33 RBI, 23 runs scored and 12 doubles across 73 games.

AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Friday Baez (neck) will start at shortstop and bat eighth Friday against the Giants, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Impact Baez was a late scratch from Thursday's lineup due to neck soreness, but he seems to be feeling well enough to return to the starting nine Friday. The 31-year-old infielder has been one of the worst hitters in the majors this season with a .493 OPS through 263 plate appearances, and he's gone 3-for-16 with an RBI since the start of August.

AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with neck soreness Baez is dealing with neck soreness, leading to his removal from the lineup Thursday against Seattle, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Impact Baez was a late removal from the lineup, which is now understood to have been the result of a neck issue. The 31-year-old can be considered day-to-day for the time being.

AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE

Late scratch Thursday Baez was scratched from the lineup Thursday versus the Mariners.

Impact Baez was originally slated to start at shortstop Thursday, but he'll now take a seat. It's unclear why he was scratched, but Zach McKinstry will take over at shortstop while Ryan Vilade enters the lineup in right field and bats ninth.

AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE

Tigers visit the Mariners to begin 3-game series

The Seattle Mariners host the Detroit Tigers to open a three-game series

AUGUST 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Royals play the Tigers with 2-1 series lead

The Kansas City Royals lead 2-1 in a four-game series against the Detroit Tigers

AUGUST 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wenceel Pérez's two-out single in the 11th lifts Tigers to improbable 6-5 win over Royals

Wenceel Pérez singled with two out in the 11th inning and the Detroit Tigers rallied three times to beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Saturday night

AUGUST 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS