Javier

Baez

Harris stated that the team still sees a role for Báez in 2025, “particularly if surgery helps him move more like his younger form.” Neither Harris nor manager A.J. Hinch would commit to that role for Báez being a starting role. The Tigers got solid production from rookie Trey Sweeney after Báez went down, so the two would likely battle for the starting shortstop job in spring, but with Colt Keith also locked into the starting second base job, there may not be a starting opportunity for Báez in 2025.

The Tigers just announced that Báez will undergo right hip surgery, ending his season. Despite his recent power surge — he hit five of his six homers in a 14-game span from July 25-Aug. 15 — he finishes the year at .184/.221/.294 in 289 plate appearances. Even though he’s owed $73 million from 2025-27, it sounds like there’s some chance the Tigers will move on from him this winter.

No word yet on what the injury is — or if it’s some phantom scenario just to get Baez away from the team for a while after allowing him to play in his return to Wrigley Field to start the week. The 31-year-old shortstop still has three years and $73 million remaining on his salary, but the Tigers have yet to accept that amount as a sunk cost and move on from what had been a brutal free agent signing. In his three seasons with the club, Báez flailed the bat wildly to an absolutely abysmal .221/.263/.347 slash line with 32 homers, 163 RBI and 29 stolen bases in 360 games. Ryan Kriedler was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move on Friday.

The 31-year-old slugger’s return to Wrigley Field went up in flames on Tuesday as Baez went hitless in four at-bats with four strikeouts. Trey Sweeney will start in his place on Wednesday night (and hopefully the remainder of the season) and will bat eighth against Jameson Taillon.

With the Tigers trailing 1-0 with a runner on eighth and two outs, Baez (somewhat shockingly) smashed a two-run homer into the bullpen to give Detroit a 2-1 lead and ultimately the victory. The right-handed hitter also singled — one of two hits given up by Bryce Miller — and raised his slash to a still ugly .188/.227/.303 with eight homers.

The injury doesn’t sound like anything overly serious, but you never know with Baez. For the time being, the 31-year-old shortstop should be considered day-to-day. Zach McKinstry will cover shortstop for him on Wednesday with Justin-Henry Malloy entering the lineup to play left field.

No word yet on the reason for the late scratch, but Baez was in the team’s initial lineup and then pulled in a revised version a couple of hours later. Zach McKinstry will slide over to play shortstop while Justin-Henry Malloy enters the lineup in left field and will bat seventh against Bryan Woo and the Mariners on Wednesday evening at Comerica Park.

Besides the homer, Báez also had a 109-mph lineout to second that rated as George Kirby’s one bit of a good luck tonight. Báez has homered in four of his last 12 starts after hitting just one in 63 games through July 24.

Báez was replaced at shortstop by Zach McKinstry. The 31-year-old has struggled to a .493 OPS with four homers, 33 RBI and seven steals across 263 plate appearances this season over 72 games. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.

No word yet on the reason for the move. It’ll be Zach McKinstry taking over at shortstop on Thursday evening out in Seattle.