Story by
Detroit Tigers' Javier Báez appreciates A.J. Hinch, stays accountable in search for success
- Story by
- Detroit Tigers' Javier Báez appreciates A.J. Hinch, stays accountable in search for success
PHOENIX — Javier Báez didn't do anything on the off day.
The Detroit Tigers landed in Phoenix on Wednesday night ahead of Friday's series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, giving everyone — coaches, staffers and team employees — the opportunity for a full day without any work.
Advertisement
"I got my rest," Báez said. "That's really important here with the time change."
The off-day strategy from Báez — more sleep, less play — benefited him when he stepped on the field on Friday. He guided the Tigers to a 13-0 win over the Diamondbacks in the series opener , going 3-for-4 with two doubles and drove in five runs, easily the best game of his season and possibly the best game as a Tiger.
ROOKIE SWINGS IT: Tigers rookie Colt Keith takes 'big step in right direction' with 4-hit game
Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez (28) hits an RBI single against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Báez, who is making $98 million in the final four years of a six-year, $140 million contract , hadn't driven in more than one run in a game since last season. He hadn't posted five RBIs in a game since the 2018 season, the campaign in which he finished runner-up in National League MVP voting.
Advertisement
"I was just trying to see the ball," Báez said. "I'm working on my timing still. I'm trying to get good timing, see the ball and react to the ball in the zone. I chased a couple of fastballs up, but I was on the fastball and I made pretty good contact."
Báez, a former two-time All-Star shortstop, is hitting .185 with one home run, five walks and 28 strikeouts across 38 games this season, spanning 139 plate appearances. He owns a .470 OPS, down from his first two seasons with the Tigers, at .671 in 2022 and .593 in 2023.
The 31-year-old is also working behind the scenes to keep his lower back muscles healthy .
STOCK WATCH: Three pitchers among best in bigs, but big bats aren't hitting
Manager A.J. Hinch gave Báez a vote of confidence at the beginning of the week , when he promised his shortstop would continue to receive everyday playing time in an attempt to find solutions, even despite Báez ranking as the worst hitter in baseball this season.
Advertisement
"He's going to play, a lot," Hinch said of Báez before Monday's game. "We've got to try to find a way to get more out of him. Offensively, no at-bats is not going to be the answer. He's got to keep getting his rhythm and timing and hopefully getting in a position to produce offensively. That's the goal."
The support from Hinch encouraged Báez.
"He knows how hard I'm working to be out there and to be back," Báez said of Hinch after Friday's game. "I've been feeling much better on my timing, and in my low back. ... I like to play hard and not make excuses about my body situation. If he knows I'm locked in, he's going to push me to be out there. We got really good communication. He's done a great job."
MORE ABOUT BACK MUSCLES: Tigers' Javier Báez thinks stronger back, core muscles can help revive his career
Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez (28) hits a two-run double against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Friday, May 17, 2024.
In Friday's game, Báez hit a middle-in fastball for an RBI single in the second inning, a down-and-in sinker for a two-RBI double in the fifth inning (with a 110.5 mph exit velocity) and a middle-down sinker for a two-RBI double in the sixth inning (with a 105.5 mph exit velocity). He clubbed the first double to the left-field gap and the second double to the right-field gap.
Advertisement
His batting average improved from .167 to .185 because of his three-hit performance.
Báez knows he has been struggling for three seasons, each season worse than the previous. And he knows only he is responsible for climbing out of the hole.
"It's all on me," Báez said. "I have to come back and be focused again tomorrow, and just try to do the same thing."
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple , Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Javier Báez: 'It's all on me' to break out of slump
