With injuries to Detroit Tigers outfielders Austin Meadows (arm), Matt Vierling (shoulder) and Wenceel Perez (back), the team's plans at center field remain a question mark heading into Opening Day on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Detroit recently signed veteran Manuel Margot, but manager A.J. Hinch indicated the tam plans to use him mostly in a corner-outfield spot. Riley Greene, Ryan Kreidler and Javier Baez are all options to see time in center field to begin the season. Baez started a spring training game in center on Saturday, but he has appeared in the outfield in the majors just four times in his 11-year career. The 32-year-old Puerto Rican infielder has tanked offensively since joining the Tigers in 2022, culminating in a poor .184/.221/.294 slash line with a .516 OPS, six homers, 37 RBI and eight steals in 80 games last year. Fantasy managers can continue to avoid Baez in mixed leagues.
Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez is penciled in as the center fielder for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves. The Tigers will need a center fielder in the absence of Parker Meadows, who is expected to be out at least until May, but Baez does not seem like the answer with less than five innings of outfield experience on his MLB resume. Wenceel Perez was expected to fill in for the injured Meadows, but Perez is not in the lineup on Saturday. Trey Sweeney is expected to be the Tigers' shortstop this season, with Baez potentially filling in at third base and shortstop when needed, but playing some outfield hints at an all-around utility role. Currently only eligible at SS on Yahoo, the potential addition of 3B and even OF could add some fantasy appeal, however, the 32-year-old bottomed out with a .224 wOBA and 43 wRC+ last season, so the appeal would be limited to deep AL-only leagues.
The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen reports that Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) will make his Grapefruit League debut on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays and will serve as the designated hitter. The Tigers hope to have Baez playing in the field by next week. Despite undergoing a labral repair on his right hip in September of last year, the 32-year-old veteran is expected to be ready for Opening Day in late March. However, given how bad Baez has been since joining the Tigers in 2022, he's not guaranteed to be the team's starting shortstop in 2025. The Puerto Rican infielder bottomed out in 2024 by hitting .184/.221/.294 with a career-worst .516 OPS, six home runs, 37 RBI, eight stolen bases and 69 strikeouts in 289 plate appearances over 80 games. In a best-case scenario, Baez could split playing time at the 6 with Trey Sweeney. You can ignore Baez in mixed fantasy leagues.
According to the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold, Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) is expected to be ready for Opening Day in late March. Baez is doing full hitting and defensive drills and will continue to progress his return to play running progression upon his arrival to spring training. The 32-year-old had a right hip labral repair in September of last year but should be ready for the start of the 2025 season, barring any setbacks in spring training. It's good news that Baez should be healthy for Opening Day, but his struggles since he arrived in Detroit mean that he'll have to compete with young infielder Trey Sweeney for playing time at the 6 this year. In only 80 games in 2024, the former Cubs sensation hit just .184 with a career-low .515 OPS, six home runs and 37 RBI. Baez should remain with the Tigers in 2025, but a bench role might be on tap.
Unclear If Javier Baez Will Be Ready For Opening Day
The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen says it's unclear if Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) will be ready for Opening Day after he had hip surgery last September. And if Baez is healthy, it's unclear if the Tigers will even give him a shot to reclaim the starting job at the 6. Beyond Baez, keeping both Zach McKinstry and Trey Sweeney, who both hit from the left side, could give the team a left-handed-heavy roster. Sweeney has minor-league options remaining, so in theory, he's more likely to be the odd man out going into the regular season. However, Sweeney helped fuel the Tigers' postseason run last year, which could make for a tough decision if Baez is healthy come Opening Day. Another option would but cutting Baez and eating the rest of the $73 million left on his six-year deal, but that's highly unlikely. After Baez's drastic fall the last few years, fantasy managers will be staying away from him.
Javier Baez Expected To Start Defensive Drills This Week
Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) has initiated a running program and is expected to begin light defensive drills later this week. Baez underwent season-ending hip surgery in August, but based on his current progress, he may be ready for Spring Training. Earlier this offseason, team president Scott Harris noted that the former World Series champion will have a role on the 2025 roster. Before the injury, the 32-year-old posted a .184/.221/.294 line with just six home runs and eight stolen bases. He generated a low .264 xwOBA and .345 xSLG. In addition, he posted a low 4.2% walk rate and a high 23.9% K rate. While he may have a role in the starting nine as the everyday shortstop, fantasy managers should keep Baez off their radar, given his lack of stable offensive output.
Javier Baez Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training
Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) is expected to be part of workouts in spring training in February after having surgery on his hip, according to president of baseball operations Scott Harris. Despite Baez's massive decline since joining the Tigers, the team still sees a role for him, particularly if his surgery helps him move more like he did when he was younger. The 31-year-old's 2024 season ended early in early September when he had surgery on his right hip. Perhaps his hip injury was part of the reason why he was atrocious again this year with a .184/.221/.294 slash line, six home runs, 37 RBI and eight stolen bases in just 80 games played. Since joining the Tigers in 2022, Baez has hit .221/.263/.347 with a .610 OPS, 32 homers, 163 RBI and 29 stolen bases in 360 games. He still has three years and $73 million left on his deal, but regular playing time won't be guaranteed to Baez in 2025.
Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip), who was moved to the 60-day injured list on Monday, will have season-ending arthroscopic right-hip surgery next week. Another hugely disappointing season comes to an end early for Baez. The 31-year-old Puerto Rican infielder has somehow gotten worse in each year in Detroit and will finish the 2024 campaign with a .184/.221/.294 slash line with a career-worst .516 OPS, six home runs, 37 RBI, eight steals and 25 runs scored in 289 plate appearances over 80 games played. Given how bad he's been in his tenure with Detroit, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Tigers move in another direction heading into 2025. With Baez now out for the rest of this year, rookie Trey Sweeney should see most of the starts at the 6, although Ryan Kreidler could also mix in for the Tigers.
Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (undisclosed) is undergoing some tests on Friday for an undisclosed injury and could need to be placed on the 10-day injured list, depending on the results of his tests. Infielder Ryan Kreidler will be with the Tigers on Friday night in Chicago for the series against the Cubs just in case the Tigers eventually put Baez on the IL. The 31-year-old Baez continues to be a source of major disappointment for the Tigers and isn't even on the fantasy radar in mixed leagues at this point. The Puerto Rican infielder has hit rock bottom in 2024, slashing .184/.221/.294 with a .516 OPS, six home runs, 37 RBI, eight steals and 69 strikeouts in 289 plate appearances over 80 games played. Rookie infielder Trey Sweeney had already been sharing playing time with Baez at the 6, so if Baez hits the shelf, he'll see even more playing time in the near future.
Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. The 31-year-old made his return to Wrigley Field on Tuesday. The fans gave Baez a warm welcome, but that didn't help him as he went hitless with four strikeouts. That performance should shock no one considering Baez is hitting .182 with six home runs and 37 RBI in 79 games this season. In his place, Trey Sweeney will cover shortstop and bat eighth versus right-hander Jameson Taillon. Sweeney recently earned a call-up to the big leagues. He has only played in two games, but was hitting .267 with 15 home runs and 71 RBI in 107 games in Triple-A this season. He probably won't be a viable streaming option, but he should give the Tigers lineup more production than Baez.
Javier Báez
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Tigers
