The Detroit Tigers are flirting with the .500 mark at the midway point of June. But injury issues keep on hitting the team. On Tuesday, the Tigers placed Javier Baez on the IL with lumbar spine inflammation, per the team's announcement.
“The Tigers have announced the following roster moves:
• Placed INF Javier Báez on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to June 9, with lumbar spine inflammation
• Recalled INF Ryan Kreidler from Triple A Toledo”
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 lingering injury for Baez, per Evan Woodberry.
“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.”
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 good news on both pitchers on Tuesday as they are nearing a return to the team.
Kreidler played five games in Iowa with a home run after making his return following a fractured index finger.
Examining the Tigers' plans
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.
The Tigers sent down Spencer Torkelson to Triple-A earlier in June and now will be without Baez, so there is a good chance they end up becoming sellers at the MLB trade deadline. As far as Baez is concerned, his value is minimal given the way he has played recently.
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.
As far as replacing Baez at shortstop, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch mentioned it will be a rotation, per Evan Woodberry.
“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.”
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.
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