March 25, 2025
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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Adrian Garro
March 22, 2025
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.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Tigers
February 27, 2025
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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
February 12, 2025
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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
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