<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/detroit-tigers/tigers-news-javier-baez-homer-vs-pirates-draws-praise-tigers-manager-aj-hinch');   ga('set', 'title', 'Javier Baez homer vs. Pirates draws praise from Tigers manager AJ Hinch');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Javier-Baez-homer-vs.-Pirates-draws-AJ-Hinch-praise.jpg"></figure><h1>Javier Baez homer vs. Pirates draws praise from Tigers manager AJ Hinch</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-10T00:18:30-07:00">March 10th, 12:18am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-10T00:18:30-07:00">March 10th, 12:18am</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He's a die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic. In addition to sports writing, he works for Arizona Football in the Player Personnel and Recruiting department and formerly served as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Detroit Tigers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>On Sunday, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tigers-news-javier-baez-unbothered-boos-from-white-sox-fans-opening-day">Javier Báez gave the Detroit Tigers something to feel good about</a> launching a home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a spring training matchup. The veteran shortstop’s <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2025/03/09/tigers-javier-bez-blasts-440-foot-homer-in-5-3-spring-training-win/82112599007/" rel="noopener">performance drew praise</a> from Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who noted Báez’s adjustments at the plate.</p><p>“He’s putting in a lot of work to try to get better pitches to hit,” Hinch said. “And his timing is getting a little bit better. He’s been getting beat with the higher leg kick and being late. Today, he was more on time. We saw some good results.”</p><p>Báez’s home run was a rare highlight in what has been a difficult stretch for the two-time All-Star. The Tigers signed him to a six-year, $140 million contract before the 2022 season, hoping he would be the anchor of their infield. However, injuries and inconsistent play have derailed his time with the Tigers. Last season, he played in just 80 games, batting .184 with six home runs and a career-worst .262 on-base percentage<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/tigers-news-detroit-dealt-javier-baez-injury-blow"> before undergoing hip surgery in the fall.</a></p><h2><b>Could Javier Báez bounce back for the Tigers in 2025?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Javier-Baez.jpg"><figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Now healthy and back in spring training, Báez is fighting to prove he can still be a reliable contributor. However, questions remain about his role in 2025, as the Tigers have several young infielders knocking on the door. Prospect Trey Sweeney filled in admirably last season when Báez was sidelined, providing solid defense and timely hitting. The Tigers also have promising infielders Jace Jung and Zack McKinstry in the mix, making Báez’s starting role far from guaranteed.</p><p>Despite his struggles, the Tigers have continued to support Báez publicly. Hinch remains optimistic about what he can bring to the team when he’s at his best.</p><p>“When Javy is healthy and when Javy is staying within the strike zone, and he’s getting on base, he can help a team win,” Hinch said. “Obviously, Javy can make a team better.”</p><p>The problem, of course, has been Báez’s well-documented struggles with plate discipline. He has consistently ranked among MLB’s worst hitters in terms of on-base percentage, leading the league in lowest OBP in 2020 and 2023. If not for injuries cutting his 2024 season short, he likely would have repeated that dubious feat. His tendency to chase pitches outside the strike zone has made him a frustrating player for Tigers fans, especially given his hefty contract.</p><p>Báez’s spring training performance so far has been a mixed bag. After going hitless in his first two games, he doubled against the Blue Jays and then connected for a home run against the Pirates. While those moments have provided hope, his overall production remains under scrutiny.</p><p>The Tigers appear to be hedging their bets on Báez in 2025. While he remains in the lineup, the team is considering a platoon with younger players like Sweeney, signaling their lack of full confidence in his ability to bounce back. Detroit is unlikely to release Báez outright due to the financial burden of his contract, but his role moving forward remains uncertain.</p><p>For now, the focus remains on getting Báez back to full strength and hoping that he can rediscover the form that once made him one of the league’s most dynamic shortstops. But as the season approaches, the Tigers will have to determine whether patience with their highest-paid player will pay off—or if it’s time to fully embrace the next generation.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Javier Baez homer vs. Pirates draws praise from Tigers manager AJ Hinch

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/tigers-news-detroit-dealt-javier-baez-injury-blow');   ga('set', 'title', 'Tigers dealt Javier Baez injury blow');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Tigers-news-Detroit-dealt-Javier-Baez-injury-blow.jpg"></figure><h1>Tigers dealt Javier Baez injury blow</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-08-24T10:04:49-07:00">August 24th, 10:04am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-08-24T10:04:49-07:00">August 24th, 10:04am</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Detroit Tigers shortstop <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cubs-news-javier-baez-first-wrigley-field-game-since-trade">Javier Baez faced his former team</a> before he was placed on the 10-day injured list. After playing in two of three games against the Chicago Cubs, Baez <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/tigers-injuries-and-roster-moves" rel="noopener">was placed on the 10-day IL</a> with lumbar spine and hip inflammation before the Tigers’ three-game series opener against the Chicago White Sox on Friday, according to MLB.com.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/tigers-news-aj-hinch-real-on-needing-bounce-back-campaign-javier-baez-2024">Tigers manager A.J. Hinch addressed</a> Baez’s injury with reporters.</p><p>“He’s going to go through another round of tests and some more tomorrow before we know the extent or how long [he’ll be on the IL],” Hinch said, per MLB.com. “He’s been battling things for a while, and he came in after the game yesterday and let me know he couldn’t go.”</p><p>Baez went to Hinch about his lingering hip and back issues after playing against the Cubs. He will head back to Detroit for further testing. Baez is batting .184 this season with six home runs, 37 RBIs, 50 hits, and eight stolen bases. The Tigers recalled Ryan Kreidler from Triple-A’s Toledo.</p><h2><b>Tigers rally back in 5-2 win against White Sox</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Detroit-Tigers-beat-the-White-Sox.jpg"><figcaption>Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Without Baez, the Tigers rallied to a 5-2 victory against the White Sox in their series opener. Detroit’s Matt Vierling drove in the go-ahead run with a ground ball off White Sox reliever Justin Anderson in the seventh inning and spoke to reporters <a href="https://apnews.com/article/dolphins-buccaneers-score-mayfield-b0f131abb428d5214b9ac06ceaf4d5b9" rel="noopener">about his mindset heading into the at-bat</a>.</p><p>“My plan — first and third, less than two outs, tie game in the seventh — is trying to get the guy home,” Vierling said, per the Detroit Free Press’ Evan Petzold. “I’m trying to really just put the ball in play, ideally with a sac fly or something like that.”</p><p>Vierling refused to veer into a different way of thinking and stuck with what he thought would be best for his team to rally back in a 5-2 win.</p><p>“I think it’s important to keep the same approach,” Vierling said. “If you think differently, that’s when it goes bad or that’s when you can get out of your game a little bit. You’re just trying to play the same baseball we’ve played for a while now, just be aggressive and put together good at-bats.”</p><p>The White Sox, one of MLB’s worst regular-season teams, are on pace for 122 losses. Chicago is now 31-98. Detroit protected its lead thanks to scoreless performances from right-handed relievers Shelby Miller in the eighth inning, and Jason Foley in the ninth.</p><p>The Tigers will resume their three-game series against the White Sox in Chicago on Saturday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Tigers dealt Javier Baez injury blow

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cubs-news-javier-baez-first-wrigley-field-game-since-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Ex-Cub Javier Baez gets 100% real on first Wrigley Field game since big trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Javier-Baez-gets-100-real-about-first-Wrigley-Field-game-since-big-trade.jpg"></figure><h1>Ex-Cub Javier Baez gets 100% real on first Wrigley Field game since big trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-08-20T19:11:27-07:00">August 20th, 7:11pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-08-20T19:11:27-07:00">August 20th, 7:11pm</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Detroit Tigers are in Chicago to face the Cubs this week. The series marks the return of Javier Baez to the Windy City. It is the first time he has played at Wrigley since was traded in 2021. Beaz was dealt to the Mets at the trade deadline and signed a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/tigers-news-javier-baez-set-to-leave-mets-for-detroit-on-6-year-deal">massive contract with the Tigers</a> the following offseason. He spoke with Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune about <a href="https://x.com/M_Montemurro/status/1826043988056350799" rel="noopener">his emotions returning</a> to Wrigley Field.</p><p>“Javier Báez, in his first game back at Wrigley since the 2021 trade, still thinks of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series title team fondly: ‘“That’s one of the things that no one will take from you. You’re always going to be a champion here”’ Monetmurro posted on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>Baez was a key contributor to the 2016 squad. He played 142 games in the regular season, hitting .273 and knocking in 59 runs. He was more of a utility player at that time, playing at all infield positions and left field during the season.</p><p>In the playoffs, he turned it up a notch. Baez hit .318 with 5 RBI in the Cubs’ six-game victory over the Dodgers in the NLCS. He was named MVP of the series. The World Series did not go as well for him, striking out 13 times in 30 plate appearances.</p><p>Those numbers have been similar to those World Series numbers since joining the Tigers. He is hitting just .221 with an OPS+ of 71 since joining Detroit. The team must fix Baez’s issues in the second half of his contract to have a chance at returning to the playoffs.</p><h2><b>Tigers need Cubs version of Javier Baez </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Javier-Baez-with-detroit-tigers.jpg"><figcaption>Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>The Detroit Tigers got off to a nice start this season, going 17-13 in April. They were just two-and-a-half games back of the Guardians and poised to be a surprise team in the American League. Since, they are 44-51, nine games worse than division-leading Cleveland and they are well out of the playoff picture,</p><p>The good news for the Tigers is that they have a strong young core to build around. They recently called up infielders Jace Jung and Trey Sweeney to make their debuts. Those guys go along with young players Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, and Colt Keith, who are all under 25 years old.</p><p>Baez is set to be a key member of the Tigers for at least the next three seasons. He was given his contract because of his excellent play with the Cubs. He finished second in MVP voting in 2018, won a silver slugger in the same year, and a gold glove in 2020. His departure signaled the end of the era for the Cubs</p><p>The Cubs decided to move on from their entire 2016 core in the 2021 season, including Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber. The Yankees and Phillies have gotten great performances out of those players since acquiring them. The Tigers cannot say the same. Baez has been one of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/javier-baez-awful-2022-season-worsens-after-unfortunate-update-before-tigers-white-sox-clash">worst hitters in all of baseball</a> since arriving in Detroit and the team will get nowhere until that is fixed.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ex-Cub Javier Baez gets 100% real on first Wrigley Field game since big trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/tigers-news-javier-baez-brutal-injury-abysmal-season');   ga('set', 'title', 'Tigers’ Javier Baez hit with brutal injury amid abysmal season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tigers-news-Javier-Baez-hit-with-brutal-injury-amid-abysmal-season.jpg"></figure><h1>Tigers’ Javier Baez hit with brutal injury amid abysmal season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-06-11T12:51:21-07:00">June 11th, 12:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-06-11T15:29:13-07:00">June 11th, 3:29pm</time><address><a>Matt Wadleigh</a>Matt Wadleigh is the lead NCAA Football and NCAA Basketball editor for ClutchPoints, and he also specializes in MLB and NFL coverage. He was born and raised in Oceanside and resides in Fresno with his wife and two dogs. Matthew is a huge Southern California sports fan and a retired member of the Fresno State drumline.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Detroit Tigers are flirting with the .500 mark at the midway point of June. But <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/tigers-news-jack-flaherty-injury-update-leaving-game-rangers">injury issues keep on hitting</a> the team. On Tuesday, the Tigers placed Javier Baez <a href="https://x.com/DetroitTigersPR/status/1800605676181266814" rel="noopener">on the IL</a> with lumbar spine inflammation, per the team’s announcement.</p><p>“The Tigers have announced the following roster moves:<br>• Placed INF Javier Báez on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to June 9, with lumbar spine inflammation<br>• Recalled INF Ryan Kreidler from Triple A Toledo”</p><p>It’s just another turn in a rough season for Baez. The former All-Star is hitting just .183 with a home run and 25 RBIs on the year and just has not been able to put it together this far. This turns out to be a <a href="https://x.com/evanwoodbery/status/1800612260697489882" rel="noopener">lingering injury</a> for Baez, per Evan Woodberry.</p><p>“Javier Baez said his back has bothered him off and on this season. When he couldn’t play on Sunday, he sat down with manager A.J. Hinch and decided now would be a good time to have some specialists look at it.”</p><p>Before going to the IL, Baez had just two hits in eight games. The Tigers have been hit hard by the injury bug, including issues with Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty. However, they got relatively <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/tigers-receive-2-pivotal-injury-updates">good news on both pitchers</a> on Tuesday as they are nearing a return to the team.</p><p>Kreidler played five games in Iowa with a home run after making his return following a fractured index finger.</p><h2><b>Examining the Tigers’ plans </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Baez-Tigers-injury.jpg"><figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>The Tigers have been somewhat competitive as they hold a 32-33 record entering Tuesday’s game. However, they are 10.5 games back of first place in the American League Central and 2.5 back of the final American League Wild Card spot.</p><p>The Tigers <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/tigers-make-surprising-spencer-torkelson-roster-decision-amid-rough-stretch">sent down Spencer Torkelson</a> to Triple-A earlier in June and now will be without Baez, so there is a good chance they end up becoming <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb-rumors-tigers-willing-to-trade-star-pitcher-but-its-not-tarik-skubal">sellers at the MLB trade deadline.</a> As far as Baez is concerned, his value is minimal given the way he has played recently.</p><p>Baez struggled in 2023 as well, hitting .222 with nine home runs and 59 RBIs, a far cry from his days with the Chicago Cubs.</p><p>As far as replacing Baez at shortstop, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch mentioned it <a href="https://x.com/evanwoodbery/status/1800611855653589208" rel="noopener">will be a rotation,</a> per Evan Woodberry.</p><p>“With Javier Baez out, the Tigers won’t have an everyday shortstop. A.J. Hinch said Ryan Kreidler and Zach McKinstry will both play a lot. Andy Ibanez could also be an option every now and then.”</p><p>The Tigers begin a three-game homestand against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday before going on the road for six games, three each against the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves. It remains to be seen exactly how long Javier Baez will be out for, so it will be a situation to monitor.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Tigers’ Javier Baez hit with brutal injury amid abysmal season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/tigers-news-javier-baez-unbothered-boos-from-white-sox-fans-opening-day');   ga('set', 'title', 'Tigers’ Javier Baez unbothered by boos from White Sox fans on Opening Day');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Tigers-news-Javier-Baez-unbothered-by-boos-from-White-Sox-fans-on-Opening-Day.jpg"></figure><h1>Tigers’ Javier Baez unbothered by boos from White Sox fans on Opening Day</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-03-28T18:15:52-07:00">March 28th, 6:15pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-03-28T18:15:52-07:00">March 28th, 6:15pm</time><address><a>Peter Sampson</a>Peter Sampson has been covering all things sports (with a focus on the Portland Trail Blazers) for more than a decade, most recently hosting "The Pulse with Peter Sampson" in Afternoon Drive for 750 The Game. Prior to that, he hosted an NBA wrap-up show that aired immediately at the conclusion of every Trail Blazers game. Peter had previous stops at Blazer's Edge and XRAY.FM - where his show "Blazer's Edge Radio" was named "Portland's Best Sports Radio" in the 2017 Willamette Week reader's poll. When he's not telling the stories of your favorite sports team, Peter can be found recording the next garage rock classic in his basement studio, whipping up an authentic Italian meal in the kitchen, or trying to figure out the appeal of Minecraft with his 9-year-old son in the living room.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Detroit Tigers won their first 1-0 Opening Day game in franchise history over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, and Javier Baez relished his role as the villain.</p><p>On his third-inning single, the former Chicago Cubs player seemed to take a moment to relish the boos from the southside Chicago fans. He pointed to the fans behind the Tigers’ dugout on his way to first base.</p><p>Baez stole second base, then advanced to third on Parker Meadows’ groundout, and scored on Andy Ibanez’s sacrifice fly.</p><p>After the game, Baez <a href="https://x.com/evanwoodbery/status/1773489720166584808?s=20" rel="noopener">acknowledged the boos</a>, per Evan Woodbery of MLive:</p><p>“To be honest, we hear a lot of boos, but there’s a lot of people that support me, too. I don’t know. It doesn’t make me mad or anything. I feel like it makes me focused.”</p><p>The <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2024/03/28/detroit-tigers-beat-chicago-white-sox-1-0-in-opening-day-game/73129228007/">Tigers player elaborated</a>, per Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press:</p><p>“I always have fun with everybody yelling at me,” Baez said. “I should have tried throw it a little higher, but I did try to throw it to the net. They were yelling good stuff, not so good stuff, but it’s always fun to compete against real fans that really care about you.”</p><p>“When you get booed, you don’t want to suck because they’re going to do it louder,” Baez said.</p><h2><b>Javier Baez’s Tigers tenure</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Javier-Baez-swings-the-bat.jpg"><figcaption>Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>If the Tigers are going to show significant improvement in 2024, they are going to be counting on shortstop Baez to get back to the form he had in the earlier years in his career with the Cubs.</p><p>Baez was a key performer on Chicago’s 2016 World Series champions. He earned a reputation as a free swinger who delivered big hits while making some of the most amazingly eye-catching defensive plays seen in baseball. His ability to slap a quick tag on opposing base runners was something he did better than any player in recent memory.</p><p>However, Baez has fallen badly on both sides of the ball in 2022 and 2023 with the Tigers. He has been booed frequently by Detroit fans, and Baez is as upset about his downturn as Tigers supporters.</p><p>He has spent much of the offseason working on both his core strength and fundamentals in order to return to form. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/tigers-news-javier-baez-gets-100-real-on-personal-struggles-ahead-of-2024-season" rel="noopener">Baez said that</a> he had significant pain in his back.</p><p>“I was just trying to be healthy (in the offseason), feel better with my low back and my core. It feels pretty good right now. I’ve been swinging a lot. … It hasn’t been bothering me, so hopefully it stays that way,” said the Tigers shortstop.</p><p>Hopefully Baez is fully healthy and able to contribute to a Tigers team that is a dark horse playoff contender in the AL Central. If he plays like he did on Opening Day, Detroit has a chance for a big season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2025 SEASON STATS
BA	HR	RBI	OPS	SB
.184	1	6	0.647	0

2025 SEASON STATS
BA	HR	RBI	OPS	SB
.184	1	6	0.647	0

Javier Báez

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Tigers’ Javier Baez unbothered by boos from White Sox fans on Opening Day

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