Tigers News: Javier Báez Lands on Injured List Due to Hip and Spine Issues

The Detroit Tigers have placed shortstop Javier Báez on the 10-day injured list due to inflammation in his right hip and lumbar spine.

Manager A.J. Hinch announced that further tests will be conducted to assess the severity of Báez's condition.

“Javy came into my office after the game and just kept talking about lingering issues with his hip and his back, so we sent him off for tests. The intial test indicated he needs to go on the injured list. He's going to go through another round of tests, more tomorrow before we know the extent, how long,” Hinch said .

The injury comes after Báez returned to Wrigley Field, where he played a key role in the Chicago Cubs' 2016 World Series championship.

Báez has had a challenging season, hitting just .184 with six home runs and 37 RBIs over 80 games. He signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Tigers in December 2021, but his performance has not met expectations. He is also owed $73 million from 2025-27

To fill Báez's spot on the roster, the Tigers have recalled infielder Ryan Kreidler from Triple-A Toledo. Kreidler has appeared in 21 games for the Tigers this season, recording six hits in 44 at-bats.

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.

"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."