Detroit Tigers injury updates: A.J. Hinch on Javier Báez, Casey Mize
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch talks to reporters about injuries to Casey Mize and Javier Báez on April 29, 2026, at Truist Park in Atlanta.
ATLANTA – The Detroit Tigers will be without Javier Báez for the foreseeable future.
The 33-year-old shortstop/center fielder landed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, April 29, with a right ankle sprain before the second of three games against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. To replace him, the Tigers called up infielder Jace Jung from Triple-A Toledo.
"It's a significant ankle sprain," manager A.J. Hinch said before Wednesday's game. "I don't know what that means in terms of timeline."
The injury occurred in the fifth inning of Tuesday's 5-2 loss, when Báez fell backward and landed on his right leg while trying to avoid a tag at first base. He left the ballpark after Tuesday's game with a boot on his right foot.
"I got a little treatment," Báez said after Tuesday's game. "I feel much better than after it happened with all the treatment I got here. I can put pressure on my ankle now. It's feeling better."
Báez isn't eligible to return to the Tigers until May 9.
Expect him to be out for longer than that.
"If he's back by then, great," Hinch said. "If it takes longer, it's because of swelling and soreness."
Without Báez, Kevin McGonigle will receive all of the playing time at shortstop – at least until Zach McKinstry returns from left hip/abdominal inflammation.
McKinstry is expected to begin a rehab assignment in the coming days, so he should be back within the next seven days, setting him up to take Jung's spot.
The Tigers, though, won't rush McKinstry.
"We shouldn't fast-forward him," Hinch said. "We have to do a full recovery for him. We need to isolate that away from the need right now. At the minimum, he's going to play a few [rehab] games. I don't know what that means for next series or the series after that."
For now, Hao-Yu Lee is the Tigers' backup shortstop.
He hasn't played shortstop since 2023 at the High-A level in the minor leagues.
"It's not an ideal situation right now," Hinch said, "but to field ground balls and throw it across the field, we can put a couple of different guys there. I would say Lee is probably best positioned to do it, if needed. But Kevin will play shortstop until further notice."
Hao-Yu Lee is the #Tigers' backup shortstop.
A.J. Hinch: "It's not an ideal situation right now, but to field ground balls and throw it across the field, we can put a couple of different guys there. I would say Lee is probably best positioned to do it, if needed." pic.twitter.com/OKKKszOv8F
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) April 29, 2026
In 2026, Báez is hitting .256 with two home runs, two walks and 16 strikeouts over 24 games, posting a .678 OPS. He has spent 129⅓ innings at shortstop, 53 innings in center field and 15⅔ innings at second base.
The 13-year MLB veteran is in the next-to-last season of a six-year, $140 million contract, which he signed with the Tigers in December 2021.
Báez is owed $24 million in both 2026 and 2027.
"It's a pretty big ankle sprain," Hinch said.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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