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Detroit Tigers' Javier Báez placed on injured list with lower back, right hip inflammation
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- Detroit Tigers' Javier Báez placed on injured list with lower back, right hip inflammation
CHICAGO — After Thursday's game, Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez checked in with manager A.J. Hinch. He complained of right hip and lumbar spine discomfort.
The Tigers placed Báez on the 10-day injured list with lumbar spine and hip inflammation before Friday's opener of a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
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The 31-year-old has been on the injured list twice this season, both times involving his lower back . The new hip issue is believed to be related to the recurring back woes.
"Somewhat related, at least the initial diagnosis is that they're related," manager A.J. Hinch said. "We haven't gotten the full diagnosis, but we do know that he can't go."
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Javier Baez of the Detroit Tigers strikes out for the final out in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024 in Chicago.
The Tigers have not ruled Báez out for the remainder of the 2024 season — at least not yet. There are 34 games remaining, with the final game of the season Sept. 29 at Comerica Park.
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Báez has suffered from lower back pain for several years .
He has returned to Detroit for further medical tests.
"As we learn more in the next 24-48 hours, we'll know a little bit more about what the next month looks like and what, if any, baseball activity he'll be able to do," Hinch said.
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Báez is hitting .184 with six home runs, 12 walks and 69 strikeouts across 80 games in 2024, making $25 million in his third season with the Tigers. In mid-June, he received an injection to treat his lower back injury before beginning the rehab process in a return from the previous stint on the injured list.
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He is owed $73 million from 2025-27 to complete a six-year, $140 million contract . His OPS has fallen in each of his three seasons, from .671 in 2022 to .593 in 2023 to .516 in 2024.
"I feel for him," Hinch said. "We've talked about it time and time again, and it just hasn't been good for him."
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To replace Báez, the Tigers recalled infielder Ryan Kreidler from Triple-A Toledo.
Trey Sweeney , who has played three games in his MLB career, will continue to start at shortstop against right-handed pitchers, giving him the majority of the reps, but Kreidler will get the rare starts against left-handed pitchers, along with working at third base and second base when regular starters need rest.
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"I'll mix him in at short, third, maybe a little second," Hinch said of Kreidler. "He's done a little bit of center field in Toledo since the last time we saw him. So that true utility role, like the right-handed version of (Zach) McKinstry. ... Kreids knows his role, and it's not his first time here, so he knows how it's going to go."
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Final rehab start for Casey Mize ?
Right-hander Casey Mize (left hamstring strain) will start Saturday for Triple-A Toledo, marking the fourth start of his rehab assignment. It should be his final start in the minor leagues.
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"We hope so," Hinch said. "It's mapped out to be (a) decision point after that."
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The 27-year-old is eligible to return from the injured list Aug. 30 against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park, which projects to be his first start for the Tigers since June 30.
"He needs to accomplish a few things in this outing to solidify that," Hinch said.
As a rehabber, Mize has allowed one run on seven hits and four walks with 10 strikeouts across nine innings in three starts for the Mud Hens. He threw 35 pitches in the first start, 50 pitches in the second start and 63 pitches in the third start.
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He has pitched into the fourth inning in each of the past two starts.
"Hopefully, we can build his endurance," Hinch said. "It's the biggest thing that's separating him from being able to come back versus where he's at right now."
Mize posted a 4.23 ERA across 78⅔ innings in 16 starts before the hamstring strain.
Injury updates
∎ Right-hander Reese Olson (right shoulder strain) is scheduled to throw his second bullpen session before Saturday's game at Guaranteed Rate Field. He threw 20 pitches in his first bullpen, using all of his pitches. The 25-year-old expects to pitch in MLB games at some point before Sept. 29's season finale.
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∎ Outfielder Wenceel Pérez (left oblique strain) has added playing catch and running to his return-to-play progression, along with hitting. The 24-year-old has been hitting for at least a few days. The Tigers are planning for Pérez, like Olson, to return from the IL and play MLB games in September.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Javier Báez placed on IL with back, hip issues
