JAVIER BÁEZ NEWS

Shortstop Javier Baez expected to return this weekend for the Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers expect shortstop Javier Báez to return to the lineup at some point during the three-game series against the Colorado Rock...

APRIL 22, 2022 • FREEP.COM

Making good progress Baez (thumb) ran, hit and threw Friday and could return from the injured list sometime between Saturday and Tuesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Impact Baez appeared in just five games for his new team before hitting the IL with a sore right thumb. He's eligible to return Saturday, and it appears as though that's in play as a potential return date, but the Tigers still aren't sure whether or not he'll need another few days to heal.

APRIL 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tigers host the Rockies to begin 3-game series

The Detroit Tigers open a three-game series at home against the Colorado Rockies on Friday

APRIL 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tigers host the Yankees on home losing streak

The Detroit Tigers aim to break their four-game home slide with a win over the New York Yankees

APRIL 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Swelling in thumb subsiding Baez (thumb) said that he expects to resume swinging a bat off a tee Thursday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Impact With Baez indicating that the swelling in his right thumb has gone down since being placed on the 10-day injured list last weekend, he appears ready to resume baseball activities. If Baez responds well to hitting off a tee, he could take batting practice Friday and put himself in position to return from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Saturday.

APRIL 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tigers start 3-game series with the Yankees

The Detroit Tigers open a three-game series at home against the New York Yankees on Tuesday

APRIL 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tigers meet the Royals with 2-1 series lead

The Detroit Tigers meet the Kansas City Royals with a 2-1 series lead

APRIL 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dozier's two-run homer lifts the Royals to win over Detroit

Hunter Dozier homered to break a tie in the sixth, and lead the Kansas City Royals to a 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers

APRIL 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Placed on 10-day IL Baez (thumb) was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to April 13.

Impact Baez had already been ruled out for the Tigers' final two matchups against Kansas City, and the team will ultimately elect to place him on the injured list since he hasn't made enough progress since aggravating his thumb injury. Since the move was backdated to Wednesday, the 29-year-old will be eligible to return as early as next weekend, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to do so. Harold Castro has filled in at shortstop recently and should continue to see additional playing time during Baez's IL stint.

APRIL 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Won't start in series finale Baez (thumb) won't start in Sunday's series finale against the Royals, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Impact Baez was already out of the lineup for Saturday's matchup against Kansas City, and he'll be forced to miss a fifth straight game Sunday. The Tigers have a scheduled off day Monday, and the team is strongly considering an IL stint for Baez if he isn't feeling better by then. Harold Castro should continue to fill in at shortstop while Baez is out.

APRIL 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Still not starting Baez (thumb) isn't starting Saturday's game against the Royals.

Impact Baez hurt his thumb while celebrating the Tigers' Opening Day win, and he aggravated the issue while swinging recently. His thumb remained swollen Friday, but X-rays were negative. The 29-year-old will be out of the lineup for a fourth consecutive game, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench. Harold Castro will remain at shortstop and bat ninth.

APRIL 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Royals host the Tigers on home losing streak

The Kansas City Royals play the Detroit Tigers looking to stop a four-game home slide

APRIL 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Thumb X-rays negative Baez's thumb remains swollen Friday, but X-rays were negative so he could be available Saturday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Impact Baez said Friday that he initially jammed his thumb while celebrating the Tigers' Opening Day win and that the issue got worse following a recent swing. He's been scratched from the lineup both Wednesday and Thursday and will be unavailable again Friday against the Royals, but his absence could be nearing its end if his thumb responds well to treatment.

APRIL 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Friday Baez (thumb) will not be in Friday's lineup against the Royals, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Impact Baez was originally in the lineup Thursday, though he experienced discomfort in his thumb and was subsequently scratched. He'll focus on treatment Friday, with the potential for a Saturday return. Harold Castro started at shortstop and hit eighth in Baez's absence, and he is likely to occupy the same position Friday.

APRIL 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Late scratch Thursday Baez was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals due to right thumb soreness.

Impact Baez was initially slated to return to action Thursday, but he'll ultimately be a late scratch for a second consecutive day. Harold Castro will start at shortstop and bat eighth, while Baez should be considered day-to-day.

APRIL 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Thursday Baez (thumb) is starting Thursday's game against the Royals.

Impact Baez was scratched from Wednesday's lineup against Boston due to right thumb soreness, but he'll be back in action following a one-game absence. In his first five appearances this year, he's gone 6-for-19 with a homer, a double, four RBI, a walk and four strikeouts.

APRIL 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Royals come into matchup against the Tigers on losing streak

The Kansas City Royals enter a matchup with the Detroit Tigers after losing three games in a row

APRIL 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Injury considered minor Manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that he's hopeful Baez (thumb) will be able to return to game action as early as Thursday against the Royals, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic rep...

Impact Baez was scratched from Wednesday's lineup against the Red Sox due to right thumb soreness that occurred when he got jammed in Tuesday's loss. He received treatment Wednesday, and Hinch is hopeful that Baez's absence is "just a one-day thing." If the 29-year-old is forced to miss any additional time, Harold Castro will likely continue to fill in at shortstop.

APRIL 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched with sore thumb The Tigers scratched Baez from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox due to right thumb soreness, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Impact Harold Castro will enter the lineup as a replacement for Baez, starting at shortstop and batting sixth. The Tigers haven't suggested that Baez's injury is a major concern, so he can be considered day-to-day heading into Thursday's series opener in Kansas City.

APRIL 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hits first Detroit home run Baez went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Monday's win over the Red Sox.

Impact Baez looks comfortable with his new team, as he has started 5-for-15 across his first four games, and he now has his first home run of the young season. The home run was a big one too, as it broke a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning and propelled Detroit to victory. The shortstop has been batting third for the Tigers and should continue to see plenty of chances to produce from the heart of the order.

APRIL 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Two hits in team debut Baez went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Friday's win over the White Sox.

Impact It was a mixed bag for Baez in his Detroit debut, as he also struck out twice and left four runners on base. The shortstop can be streaky at times, but he should see ample playing time and will have plenty of chances to produce in the middle of the order. Last season with the Cubs, Baez slashed .265/.319/.494 with 31 home runs and 87 RBI.

APRIL 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Could bat third this year Baez is batting third in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, and Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said this may resemble his Opening Day lineup, Evan Petzold of the D...

Impact After he signed a six-year, $140 million deal with Detroit in November, there was no doubt that Baez would bat high in the lineup, but it wasn't clear exactly where he'd slot in regularly. If Hinch's Saturday lineup is any indication, his new shortstop will be the No. 3 hitter most days, with Robbie Grossman batting second and Jeimer Candelario hitting cleanup. This could change, of course, but Baez should get plenty of chances to produce no matter who's around him in the order.

MARCH 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes team debut Saturday Baez went 0-for-2 and played four innings at shortstop in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Impact Baez batted third, behind Robbie Grossman and Riley Greene, with Jonathan Schoop following that trio. Baez will be a focal point of Detroit's offensive attack this year, and while he's a bit of a free swinger (33.6 percent strikeout rate in 2021), he should still post good counting stats. The 29-year-old should also be back at shortstop on a regular basis after playing at second base next to Francisco Lindor when he joined the Mets at the trade deadline last season.

MARCH 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE