Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez begins rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo

MINNEAPOLIS — Ready for the return of Javier Báez?

Báez, a two-time All-Star shortstop, remains on track to join the Detroit Tigers before the All-Star break. The 31-year-old began a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Toledo, serving as the designated hitter.

The Tigers placed Báez on the injured list June 11 with lumbar spine inflammation.

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"He's got to do a lot of things for him to be deemed ready to come back to the big leagues," manager A.J. Hinch said. "It's exciting to get him back in a game. He's been pushing for this for a couple of days, which is a good sign. That means he feels good."

Báez won't join the Tigers for the current 10-game road trip, which continues with three games against the Minnesota Twins (Tuesday-Thursday) and concludes with three games against the Cincinnati Reds (Friday-Sunday).

But Báez could join the Tigers for the upcoming seven-game homestand that takes them into the All-Star break, beginning Monday against the Cleveland Guardians.

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To get there, Báez needs to complete his rehab assignment with the Mud Hens. He is scheduled to play shortstop Wednesday after working as the designated hitter Tuesday, followed by a scheduled off day Thursday.

The Tigers won't active Báez from the injured list until he plays in back-to-back games with Triple-A Toledo, which lines up for Friday and Saturday. The Mud Hens don't play Sunday or Monday before traveling to Omaha, Nebraska.

"He'll play some back-to-back games," Hinch said, "and then we'll see kind of where he's at."

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It seems like Monday is a potential target date for Báez's return to the Tigers.

The Tigers need him, too.

Báez is hitting .183 with one home run and a .456 OPS in 53 games this season, but in his absence, the replacement shortstops — Ryan Kreidler and Zach McKinstry — have a .145 batting average with one homer and a .431 OPS in 20 games. Also, Báez is the best defender of the three shortstops.

Before the rehab assignment, Báez received an injection for lumbar spine inflammation June 14 and received clearance to begin baseball activities June 18.

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

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