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Where does Javier Baez fit in?
As Javier Báez begins the next step of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo, the question becomes where he fits on the Tigers roster when he returns.
Báez has been out since late April after suffering a right ankle sprain during Detroit’s road series against the Atlanta Braves. He was placed on the injured list April 29 and eventually transferred to the 60-day IL. After appearing in two games with Single-A Lakeland earlier this week, Báez is scheduled to continue his rehab assignment with Toledo.
A lot has changed since Báez last played for Detroit.
Kevin McGonigle has taken over at shortstop and, through 100 games, is hitting .281 with a .388 on-base percentage and an .810 OPS. McGonigle was the shortstop of the future and last year's performance of Baez as an unexpected centerfielder gave Hinch some needed flexibility but for those who know, Baez has always been someone with good athletic skills with a high baseball IQ.
Hao-Yu Lee has also made a better impression during his latest opportunity, batting .267 with five home runs and a .713 OPS. Gleyber Torres is back from the injured list, Colt Keith continues to get work at third base, and Zach McKinstry gives A.J. Hinch another player who can move around the diamond. Lee has already made the case to audition himself as the second baseman in 2027.
So Báez coming back does not necessarily mean someone in that group has to lose significant playing time.
The easier roster move could simply be James Outman.
Outman has provided defensive value since Detroit claimed him off waivers from Minnesota in June. While Statcast shows him at just right in the middle (listed as a 0) in terms of Outs Above Average. But the bat has not followed. Outman is hitting .160 with a .209 on-base percentage and a .542 OPS in 81 at-bats with the Tigers. However, that is who he is. An all or nothing hitter with power, when he does connect.
Detroit originally added Outman in part because it needed help in center field with both Meadows and Báez sidelined. Báez returning changes that calculation.
Before his injury, Báez was once again giving Hinch some flexibility. He could handle shortstop while also playing center field, a position he adapted to surprisingly well in 2025. That type of role makes much more sense now than simply handing shortstop back to him.
Báez was hitting .256 with a .677 OPS before the injury. Those numbers are not enough to suggest he should immediately return to an everyday role, but Detroit does not need him to. He can start in center field, give McGonigle a day away from shortstop, provide another right-handed bat and allow Hinch to mix and match depending on the opponent.
That could also help the Tigers manage McGonigle down the stretch. The 21-year-old has already played 100 games at the major league level after entering the season with significantly less professional experience than most everyday players. Detroit does not need to reduce his role, but Báez gives Hinch another option when he wants to get McGonigle off his feet or move him elsewhere for a game.
The same applies to Lee. His recent play should earn him continued opportunities rather than making him the obvious player to send out once Báez is activated.
The Tigers can make room without disrupting either young player.
Outman has done what Detroit needed him to do. He gave them a legitimate center fielder at a time when the roster was short on options there and has played solid defense. But when Báez returns, Detroit would have another player capable of covering center field while providing more positional flexibility.
The question with Báez is no longer whether he should return as the Tigers' starting shortstop.
It is how Detroit can use him to make the current roster deeper, and that role is there without taking opportunities away from McGonigle or Lee.
Follow me on "X" @therogcast
Continue reading...
As Javier Báez begins the next step of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo, the question becomes where he fits on the Tigers roster when he returns.
Báez has been out since late April after suffering a right ankle sprain during Detroit’s road series against the Atlanta Braves. He was placed on the injured list April 29 and eventually transferred to the 60-day IL. After appearing in two games with Single-A Lakeland earlier this week, Báez is scheduled to continue his rehab assignment with Toledo.
A lot has changed since Báez last played for Detroit.
Kevin McGonigle has taken over at shortstop and, through 100 games, is hitting .281 with a .388 on-base percentage and an .810 OPS. McGonigle was the shortstop of the future and last year's performance of Baez as an unexpected centerfielder gave Hinch some needed flexibility but for those who know, Baez has always been someone with good athletic skills with a high baseball IQ.
Hao-Yu Lee has also made a better impression during his latest opportunity, batting .267 with five home runs and a .713 OPS. Gleyber Torres is back from the injured list, Colt Keith continues to get work at third base, and Zach McKinstry gives A.J. Hinch another player who can move around the diamond. Lee has already made the case to audition himself as the second baseman in 2027.
So Báez coming back does not necessarily mean someone in that group has to lose significant playing time.
The easier roster move could simply be James Outman.
Outman has provided defensive value since Detroit claimed him off waivers from Minnesota in June. While Statcast shows him at just right in the middle (listed as a 0) in terms of Outs Above Average. But the bat has not followed. Outman is hitting .160 with a .209 on-base percentage and a .542 OPS in 81 at-bats with the Tigers. However, that is who he is. An all or nothing hitter with power, when he does connect.
Detroit originally added Outman in part because it needed help in center field with both Meadows and Báez sidelined. Báez returning changes that calculation.
Before his injury, Báez was once again giving Hinch some flexibility. He could handle shortstop while also playing center field, a position he adapted to surprisingly well in 2025. That type of role makes much more sense now than simply handing shortstop back to him.
Báez was hitting .256 with a .677 OPS before the injury. Those numbers are not enough to suggest he should immediately return to an everyday role, but Detroit does not need him to. He can start in center field, give McGonigle a day away from shortstop, provide another right-handed bat and allow Hinch to mix and match depending on the opponent.
Resting up the rookie
That could also help the Tigers manage McGonigle down the stretch. The 21-year-old has already played 100 games at the major league level after entering the season with significantly less professional experience than most everyday players. Detroit does not need to reduce his role, but Báez gives Hinch another option when he wants to get McGonigle off his feet or move him elsewhere for a game.
The same applies to Lee. His recent play should earn him continued opportunities rather than making him the obvious player to send out once Báez is activated.
The Tigers can make room without disrupting either young player.
Outman has done what Detroit needed him to do. He gave them a legitimate center fielder at a time when the roster was short on options there and has played solid defense. But when Báez returns, Detroit would have another player capable of covering center field while providing more positional flexibility.
The question with Báez is no longer whether he should return as the Tigers' starting shortstop.
It is how Detroit can use him to make the current roster deeper, and that role is there without taking opportunities away from McGonigle or Lee.
Follow me on "X" @therogcast
Continue reading...
