Javier Baez Expected To Return Friday
2 years agoDetroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez is expected to return from the bereavement list on Friday in time for the team's doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians. Baez has been on the bereavement list since last Saturday due to the death of his grandmother, but he'll return this weekend. The 30-year-old Puerto Rican free-swinger hasn't been very good at a premium position in fantasy in his second year in Detroit. He'll return on Friday to a .221/.262/.320 slash line with only seven long balls, 12 doubles, four triples, 50 RBI, 10 stolen bases and 50 runs scored in his 444 trips to the plate over 109 games. So far in August, he's recorded only four hits in 25 at-bats (.160) with no homers, two RBI, 11 strikeouts and four runs scored in eight games (seven starts).
Source: MLB.com - Jason Beck
Source: MLB.com - Jason Beck
Javier Baez Starting In Center Field On Saturday
1 week agoDetroit 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.
Source: Detroit Tigers
Source: Detroit Tigers
Javier Baez To Serve As DH On Friday
1 month agoThe 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.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Javier Baez Expected To Be Ready For Opening Day
2 months agoAccording 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.
Source: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
Source: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
Unclear If Javier Baez Will Be Ready For Opening Day
2 months agoThe 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.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
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