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• Tigers' Javier Baez: Will have role on 2025 club

  10/14/2024 • By RotoWire

  Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said Monday during the team's end-of-season media session that he expects Baez (hip) to participate in spring training and have a "fighting chance" to be ready for Opening Day, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports. Baez underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right hip in early September after dealing with a hip/back issue for much of the campaign. He slashed .184/.221/.294 in 2024 and has hit only .221/.262/.347 in his three seasons with the Tigers, but Harris expects the 31-year-old to have a role with the club in 2025. With three years and $73 million remaining on his contract, there wasn't much of a chance that the team was going to cut him loose at this point. Baez shouldn't be guaranteed anything in regards to playing time in 2025, although the hope is that, with better health, he could at least offer a solid glove at shortstop. Trey Sweeney was the Tigers' primary shortstop down the stretch of the regular season and playoffs and could have a leg up over Baez for the starting job there heading into spring training.

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• Tigers' Javier Baez: To have season-ending hip surgery

  08/26/2024 • By RotoWire

  The Tigers transferred Baez (hip) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday. Per Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, Baez will undergo season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right hip next week. The veteran shortstop has missed time with hip and back problems this season, although the two injuries seem to be related. The surgery closes the book on another disappointing season for Baez, who finishes with a .516 OPS over 80 games. He is still owed $73 million through 2027. Trey Sweeney and Ryan Kreidler will handle shortstop for Detroit down the stretch.

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• Tigers' Javier Baez: Moved to injured list

  08/23/2024 • By RotoWire

  The Tigers placed Baez on the 10-day injured list due to lumbar spine and hip inflammation Friday. The veteran shortstop battled right hip discomfort earlier in August and he'll now require a stint on the IL with hip and lumbar spine swelling. Baez spent nearly a month on the injured list from June 11 to July 8 due to lumbar spine inflammation as well. It's unclear how long he might be sidelined this time. Ryan Kreidler was recalled from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move, but Trey Sweeney should see the majority of the action at shortstop in Baez's absence.

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• Tigers' Javier Baez: Could need stint on IL

  08/23/2024 • By RotoWire

  Baez is undergoing tests for an undisclosed injury and could require a trip to the 10-day injured list, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Baez dealt with a hip issue recently, although it's not clear whether that's what's bothering him now. Ryan Kreidler has joined the Tigers in Chicago for their series against the Cubs and will be added to the roster if Baez gets shut down. The veteran has been sharing the shortstop job with Trey Sweeney lately and hasn't made consecutive starts since Aug. 9-10.

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• Tigers' Javier Baez: Losing work to Trey Sweeney

  08/21/2024 • By RotoWire

  Baez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs. Baez donned the Golden Sombrero in Tuesday's 3-1 loss, striking out in all four of his plate appearances, including with a runner on second base and two outs in the ninth inning. He now finds himself on the bench for the third time in five games, as he looks to have moved into a part-time role in the wake of shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney receiving a promotion to the big leagues. Baez owns a career-worst .514 OPS for the season and has turned in a .220/.262/.347 slash line (69 wRC+) since signing a six-year, $140 million contract with Detroit in November 2021.

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