Detroit Tigers SS Javier Báez feels 'great' in return from injured list, rehab assignment

Welcome back, Javier Báez.

The Detroit Tigers reinstated Báez, a two-time All-Star shortstop, from the injured list before Monday's game — his first game since June 8 — against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park, marking his return from lumbar spine inflammation.

The 31-year-old received an injection in his lower back in mid-June, then rehabbed for two weeks at the Tigers' spring training facility in Lakeland, Florida.

"Getting used to my body again, it was like having a flat tire, so now I'm feeling good," Báez said. "My swing feels much better. Everything feels great right now. Hopefully, it works now."

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To open a spot for Báez, the Tigers optioned infielder Ryan Kreidler to Triple-A Toledo. The 26-year-old hit .125 with one home run, four walks and 15 strikeouts in 19 games.

It's the third season of Báez's six-year, $140 million contract, owed $25 million in 2024. He is hitting .183 with one home run, six walks and 42 strikeouts across 53 games with the Tigers, posting a career-worst .456 OPS.

The back injury impacted his performance at the plate.

"It just didn't let me swing back to the pitcher and didn't let me lean back on my timing and on my contact point," said Báez, who aims to load up on his back leg before swinging without shifting his weight to his front leg too early. "After that, I felt normal. In Triple-A, I hit the ball straight to center field and off the wall. That's my timing. That's what I was looking for. Hopefully, I keep my timing good and swing at strikes."

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In Lakeland, Báez worked with physical therapist Ryoki Aoki for treatment on his lower back. He has dealt with back pain for at least three seasons.

The Tigers hope a healthier back helps Báez improve from his career-worst results on offense, but they're in wait-and-see mode like everyone else.

"All of us probably underestimated how much he was playing through," manager A.J. Hinch said. "Production-wise, we're going to play the games and see it. I think his swings in Triple-A were a little bit better. I'm hopeful he can take this newfound health and apply it to a better version of him in the games."

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Before returning, Báez played four games in a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo. He hit .333 (4-for-12) with one double, one home run, one walk and three strikeouts across 13 plate appearances, playing three of four games at shortstop.

Báez hit the second homer of his season — albeit for the Mud Hens — in Friday's rehab game. He crushed a hanging curveball off right-hander Triston McKenzie, who has thrown nearly 500 innings in his five-year MLB career.

"To stay healthy," Báez said, when asked about his personal goals for the second half of the season. "I always like to stay healthy. Try to be smart about my body. Not try to play through it when I don't need to. Hopefully, I end the season pretty strong."

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The Tigers didn't get any positive production out of their replacement shortstop position while Báez recovered from his back injury, with Kreidler and Zach McKinstry combining for a .148 batting average, three home runs and a .475 OPS in 26 games.

But the Tigers primarily missed Báez's defense.

Kreidler and McKinstry were responsible for a multitude of mistakes at shortstop during Báez's month-long absence, even though both are typically above-average defenders.

"There's a presence that comes with Javy at shortstop during all plays," Hinch said. "The good version of him at the plate is what we're searching for, but the calming presence at shortstop, there's so many little things. The baseball acumen we talk about with Javy, it comes out daily and helps us. We missed his presence, so it'll be good to get him back, especially as good as he's feeling."

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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