Detroit Tigers infielder/outfielder Javier Baez (shoulder) is back at shortstop and will hit eighth for Tuesday's contest against the hosting Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Mitch Keller at PNC Park. Baez was pulled from Sunday's game after aggravating an existing left-shoulder injury in the series finale against the Texas Rangers. It wasn't considered a major injury, though, and the 32-year-old All-Star will return to the Tigers' lineup after sitting out Monday's series opener. Although he has been quiet at the plate recently, 2025 has been a pretty nice bounce-back season for the free-swinging shortstop, as he was an All-Star for the third time and is currently hitting .274/.308/.438 with 10 homers and 39 RBI in 81 games. Baez has hit just .180 in his last 15 games, but he's batting .357 with a solo homer in 14 career at-bats against Keller.

Detroit Tigers infielder/outfielder Javier Baez (shoulder) is not in the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener in Pittsburgh against the Pirates at PNC Park. Baez will take a seat to begin the week after aggravating a left-shoulder injury in Sunday's victory over the Texas Rangers and being pulled early. It doesn't sound like a serious injury for the 32-year-old veteran, but it's something to keep an eye on going forward. Trey Sweeney is making the start at shortstop for the Tigers on Monday and will bat ninth against Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes. Baez has had a resurgent season in 2025 with the Tigers that resulted in his third All-Star appearance. The Puerto Rican slugger is currently slashing .274/.308/.438 with a .746 OPS, 10 home runs, 39 RBI and 42 runs scored in 81 games for the first-place Tigers. He could be back as soon as Tuesday.

Detroit Tigers infielder/outfielder Javier Baez (shoulder) exited Sunday's 2-1 win over the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning with left-shoulder soreness, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. After the game, he said that "he didn't want to keep playing through the soreness," and regarding an IL stint, he said, "I don't think so." It's positive news for Baez's fantasy managers and the Tigers, as it appears he has been playing through some shoulder soreness for a handful of weeks now. Trey Sweeney entered the game for Baez after the injury and would likely continue to do so should Baez miss any time. The former first-round pick by the Chicago Cubs is slashing .274/.308/.438 with 10 home runs, 42 runs scored, 39 RBI, and three stolen bases in 289 plate appearances. More impressively, Baez has lowered his strikeout rate to 22.5 percent, which is significantly below his career average of 27.3 percent.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (undisclosed) exited Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning. He went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts before being removed. Baez was back in the starting lineup after receiving a standard day off Saturday, facing left-hander Jacob Latz to open the game. He was replaced by left-handed hitter Trey Sweeney when right-hander Luke Jackson entered the game, leading to speculation it may have been a matchup-based decision. However, no official reason has been provided for Bez's removal. Fantasy managers should monitor for updates in case the move was injury-related.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers. This appears to be a routine rest day for Baez who went 1-for-3 with a single and stolen base during Friday's second half opener. Baez has struggled a bit with the bat over the last few weeks, so he's not a must-have fantasy option right now. He's worth rostering in deep leagues, but isn't a great choice outside of that. Trey Sweeney will take over at shortstop and bat ninth against right-hander Kumar Rocker on Saturday.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Javier Baez will not be in his team's lineup for the first game of their road doubleheader with the hosting Washington Nationals. The 32-year-old will take a seat against right-hander Trevor Williams, with teammate Trey Sweeney slotting in at shortstop, batting ninth. This marks the second time Baez has sat against a righty over the last few days, but has by no means been ineffective against them (.250). He's enjoying a resurgent season in 2025, slashing .285/.323/.460, although could be due for some regression with an average over 30 points higher than expected (.254).

Detroit Tigers first baseman/designated hitter Spencer Torkelson and shortstop/outfielder Javier Baez are both out of the lineup for Tuesday's contest against the visiting Athletics. Colt Keith is at first base and is batting leadoff, while Trey Sweeney starts at the 6 and is hitting ninth against A's right-hander Luis Severino. Torkelson has had a strong 2025 season with 16 home runs and 49 RBI in 264 at-bats, but he's now been absent for two of the last three games and is in the midst of a 4-for-32 slump at the plate in his last nine games to lower his season slash line to .223/.330/.470. In more of a part-time utility role for Baez in 2025, he has come back from the dead to hit .290/.328/.473 with an .801 OPS, nine homers, 36 RBI and 37 runs scored for the first-place Tigers. Neither Keith nor Sweeney have faced Severino in their careers.

Detroit Tigers infielder/outfielder Javier Baez is out of the starting lineup for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park. Trey Sweeney will make the start at the 6 and will hit ninth against Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes. Baez stayed hot in the Game 1 win on Thursday by going 2-for-4. He entered the day hitting a cool .340 (17-for-50) with three home runs, two doubles, six RBI and nine runs scored in 14 games in the month of June to raise his season slash line to a healthy .289/.324/.474 with a .798 OPS, nine home runs, 35 RBI and 32 runs scored in 211 at-bats. Baez's .252 xBA, two percentile chase rate and 49th percentile strikeout rate mean his current form isn't really sustainable the rest of the year, but fantasy managers should continue to ride him while he's hot. Sweeney will be a low-upside, long-shot sleeper for DFS lineups against Skenes.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez continued his solid offensive season in Tuesday's 7-3 win over the Pirates. Baez went 3-for-4 with a single, a pair of solo home runs, and a strikeout. The 32-year-old clubbed a fifth-inning Bailey Falter hanging curveball over the left-center bullpen and crushed a Carmen Mlodzinski sweeper into the left-center seats in the seventh inning. The veteran, who celebrated his 10-year MLB service time anniversary Tuesday, has had a resurgent offensive season, slashing .289/.324/.474 with nine HR, 35 RBI, and one stolen base in 222 plate appearances. He has also played meaningful time at third base and in the outfield, giving him multi-position eligibility in fantasy. Baez is performing like he did early in his career after several disappointing seasons, making him a fantasy All-Star so far.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez continued his stellar 2025 season in Tuesday's 10-9 extra-inning win over the Red Sox. Baez went 2-for-4 with a pair of three-run home runs, including a walk-off, a walk, and two strikeouts. Baez lined a sixth-inning Garrett Whitlock offering over the left-field wall and ended the game in the 11th inning by putting a Greg Weissert breaking pitch into the left-field dugout. The 32-year-old has put together a throwback fantasy season so far, slashing .319/.357/.513 with five HR, 27 RBI, and a stolen base in 126 plate appearances. Baez was a fantasy afterthought for the past several seasons but provided power with some speed and batting average in the past.

Detroit Tigers third baseman/shortstop/outfielder Javier Baez went 2-for-5 out of the ninth spot of the team's batting order on Wednesday night in Denver, picking up four RBI and scoring a run in the team's 8-6 extra-inning victory. Baez has re-emerged as a fantasy option this season, hitting .313 with three homers and a .364 wOBA in 29 games. He has become the team's regular center fielder over the past few weeks and has hit safely in each of his last eight games with an at-bat, going 14-for-33 (.424) with four doubles, three homers, and a .544 wOBA during that hot streak. After a few miserable seasons, this is quite the turnaround for Baez, who can be a nice boost to your fantasy team for the waiver wire while he stays so hot.

Detroit Tigers infielder/outfielder Javier Baez went 2-for-4 with a home run during their 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday evening. Baez went deep in the ninth inning with a two-run shot that also scored Jace Jung. This home run was off Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen. The 32-year-old has been swinging a hot bat over his last seven contests. During this stretch, Baez has posted an impressive .417/.400/.917 slash line with three doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI, and five runs. He also swiped one bag and held a 6:1 K:BB. Before this surge, Baez posted a .258/.300/.303 slash line with three doubles and no home runs. While Baez is enjoying an impressive run at the plate, his .288 xwOBA and 32.8 percent hard-hit rate suggest it may not be sustainable. However, he does have a favorable matchup on Saturday evening, facing Angels right-hander Kyle Hendricks.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez is making his first-ever start in center field and is batting seventh for Monday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Randy Vasquez at Comerica Park. Baez gives the Tigers an extra option in the outfield with Parker Meadows (shoulder) on the injured list, and outfielder Kerry Carpenter (hamstring) is also out of Monday's lineup. However, there's no guarantee that the Puerto Rican product will gain outfield eligibility for fantasy managers. Given how poorly he's played since signing with the Tigers in 2022, Baez's .268/.305/.321 slash line through his first 17 games in 2025 is actually an improvement. But the 32-year-old veteran still has only a .627 OPS, no home runs, three doubles, four RBI and 14 strikeouts in 59 plate appearances as a utility man for Detroit in 2025. The two-time All-Star is no longer an everyday player.

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.

DetroitTigers 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 evenOF could add some fantasy appeal, however, the 32-year-old bottomed out with a .224 wOBA and 43 wRC+ last season, so the appealwould be limited to deep AL-only leagues.

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.

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.

The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen says it's unclear if Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) will be ready for Opening Day after he had hip surgery last September. And if Baez is healthy, it's unclear if the Tigers will even give him a shot to reclaim the starting job at the 6. Beyond Baez, keeping both Zach McKinstry and Trey Sweeney, who both hit from the left side, could give the team a left-handed-heavy roster. Sweeney has minor-league options remaining, so in theory, he's more likely to be the odd man out going into the regular season. However, Sweeney helped fuel the Tigers' postseason run last year, which could make for a tough decision if Baez is healthy come Opening Day. Another option would but cutting Baez and eating the rest of the $73 million left on his six-year deal, but that's highly unlikely. After Baez's drastic fall the last few years, fantasy managers will be staying away from him.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) has initiated a running program and is expected to begin light defensive drills later this week. Baez underwent season-ending hip surgery in August, but based on his current progress, he may be ready for Spring Training. Earlier this offseason, team president Scott Harris noted that the former World Series champion will have a role on the 2025 roster. Before the injury, the 32-year-old posted a .184/.221/.294 line with just six home runs and eight stolen bases. He generated a low .264 xwOBA and .345 xSLG. In addition, he posted a low 4.2% walk rate and a high 23.9% K rate. While he may have a role in the starting nine as the everyday shortstop, fantasy managers should keep Baez off their radar, given his lack of stable offensive output.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) is expected to be part of workouts in spring training in February after having surgery on his hip, according to president of baseball operations Scott Harris. Despite Baez's massive decline since joining the Tigers, the team still sees a role for him, particularly if his surgery helps him move more like he did when he was younger. The 31-year-old's 2024 season ended early in early September when he had surgery on his right hip. Perhaps his hip injury was part of the reason why he was atrocious again this year with a .184/.221/.294 slash line, six home runs, 37 RBI and eight stolen bases in just 80 games played. Since joining the Tigers in 2022, Baez has hit .221/.263/.347 with a .610 OPS, 32 homers, 163 RBI and 29 stolen bases in 360 games. He still has three years and $73 million left on his deal, but regular playing time won't be guaranteed to Baez in 2025.