Story by
Detroit Tigers roster moves: Javier Báez leaves team; Casey Mize to 60-day injured list
- Story by
- Detroit Tigers roster moves: Javier Báez leaves team; Casey Mize to 60-day injured list
Javier Báez is away from the Detroit Tigers .
He hasn't been traded, and he hasn't been released.
The Tigers placed Báez on the medical emergency/bereavement list Monday because of a family matter, meaning he will be away from the team for a minimum of three days.
Advertisement
HERE WE GO: Tigers trade deadline preview: Jack Flaherty and other players on trade block in 2024
It was one of six roster moves made by the Tigers before Monday's opener of a two-game series against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park, one day before Tuesday's 6 p.m. trade deadline.
Here's the compete list:
-
Shortstop Javier Báez placed on the medical emergency/bereavement list.
-
Left-handed reliever Easton Lucas optioned to Triple-A Toledo.
-
Catcher Dillon Dingler recalled from Triple-A Toledo.
-
Shortstop Ryan Kreidler recalled from Triple-A Toledo.
-
Left-handed reliever Bryan Sammons selected from Triple-A Toledo.
-
Right-hander Casey Mize (left hamstring strain) transferred to the 60-day injured list to create room for Sammons on the 40-man roster.
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch talks to catchers Dillon Dingler, left, Carson Kelly and Jake Rogers during spring training at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.
The most notable roster move is the promotion of Dingler , a 25-year-old prospect who hit .308 with 17 home runs in 71 games with the Mud Hens. A spot opened up for him Sunday when the Tigers traded fellow catcher Carson Kelly to the Texas Rangers .
Dingler is making his MLB debut in Monday's game, starting at catcher.
Advertisement
"I don't really have a concern with anybody on our staff throwing to Dillon Dingler," manager A.J. Hinch said before Monday's game. "When he's behind the plate, that's his comfort zone, and that's where he can immediately impact the game."
FIRST TRADE: Tigers trade catcher Carson Kelly to Rangers, opening spot for Dillon Dingler
The Tigers selected Dingler with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Ohio State. He ranks as the Tigers' No. 11 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline .
Dingler, who has a strong arm as an athletic catcher, earned the trust of pitchers over the years because of his advanced game-calling ability. He then developed as a hitter this season with better swing decisions and more contact while maintaining his above-average power.
Advertisement
He improved his whiff rate from 29.8% in 2023 to 25.3% in 2024 at the Triple-A level.
"The question has always been: How much impact can we find with the bat?" Hinch said. "When he hits the ball, he hits the ball really hard. He was trying to figure that out while racing to the big leagues. I think he's settled in to understand how to separate the two, offense and defense. I think he has really found where he can drive the ball, with some small adjustments mechanically and approach-wise. He's got a lot to learn still to be that same player here, but in the world of ingredients, he's got it all to come up here and be a successful big leaguer."
The second biggest piece of information: Mize, who landed on the injured list July 1 , isn't eligible to be reinstated until at least Aug. 30. The Tigers pushed back his window for a potential return by transferring him to the 60-day injured list.
There hasn't been a setback in his recovery from the left hamstring strain.
Advertisement
He threw his first bullpen session Saturday.
"To get him back ramped up to being a full-fledged starter is going to take some time now, given the time off," Hinch said, "so nothing changes with Casey's program. It was kind of going to be a photo finish around that timeline anyway, if everything goes well."
DINGLER TIME: Tigers promote catcher Dillon Dingler for MLB debut after Carson Kelly trade
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch (14) takes the ball to relieve starting pitcher Casey Mize (12) in the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, June 24, 2024.
By putting Mize on the 60-day injured list, a spot opened up for the Tigers to add Sammons to the 40-man roster and call him up from Triple-A Toledo. The 29-year-old southpaw is expected to make his MLB debut out of the bullpen in Monday's game.
Advertisement
In 2023, Sammons was pitching for the Gastonia Honey Hunters in the Atlantic League, an independent league.
"First off, it's a really cool story," Hinch said.
Sammons has pitched exclusively for Triple-A Toledo this season, posting a 4.18 ERA with 34 walks and 78 strikeouts across 84 innings in 17 starts with the Mud Hens.
"The left-handed (pitcher) is really important against Cleveland, as we've seen in the last series," Hinch said. "It doesn't necessarily make it any easier, but it does give you some matchup help. He's got a pretty good cutter. He's been a pretty good strike-thrower. His journey has worked his way through, and he finally gets an opportunity."
Advertisement
As for Báez, the Tigers expect their two-time All-Star shortstop to return to the team for Thursday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park.
"Javy is with his family," Hinch said. "I'll leave it there."
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 roster: Javier Báez on leave; Casey Mize to 60-day IL
