Tigers News: Is Javier Báez's 2025 Spring Training in Jeopardy? Tigers Await Clarity on His Surgery

The Detroit Tigers are facing uncertainty regarding shortstop Javier Báez's health as he prepares for right hip surgery.

Scheduled for Tuesday, this procedure has left the team unsure if Báez will be fit for the start of spring training in 2025.

Báez, who has been sidelined for the remainder of the 2024 season, will undergo arthroscopic surgery, but details about the surgeon performing the operation are not yet available.

Recovery timelines for such surgeries can vary significantly, ranging from 12 weeks to a year, depending on the injury's severity and the specific procedure performed.

This uncertainty means Báez could miss a significant portion of the 2025 season. Position players typically report to spring training in mid-February, and the team is awaiting further information post-surgery to better understand his rehabilitation process.

"I don't know enough about all of it to comment on it," manager A.J. Hinch said when asked if Báez would be ready for spring training. "I know we'll know more once the doctor gives us his full review of the surgery and what that entails and what the rehab entails.

"I think the hope is certainly that, but until he gets the surgery done, and the doctor comments on what he sees and what he does, right now, I don't have any more information."

In 2024, Báez struggled at the plate, finishing with a .184 batting average, six home runs, and 69 strikeouts over 80 games.

He ended the season on the injured list due to lumbar spine and hip inflammation. The shortstop, who signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Tigers, still has $73 million remaining on his deal through the 2027 season.

In other team news, right-handed reliever Alex Faedo will also miss the rest of the 2024 season due to a right shoulder strain. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection to aid his recovery but is expected to have a normal offseason.

Additionally, right-hander Reese Olson and outfielder Wenceel Pérez are set to face off in a live batting practice session before Saturday's game. Both players are on track to return to the field in September, pending the results of their practice session.

As the Tigers navigate these injuries, the focus remains on recovery and preparation for the upcoming season.