The Detroit Tigers suffered a setback as shortstop Javier Baez was placed on the 10-day injured list due to lumbar spine and hip inflammation. Baez, who had played in two of three games against his former team, the Chicago Cubs, was added to the IL before the Tigers’ series opener against the Chicago White Sox on Friday, according to MLB.com. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch mentioned that Baez would undergo additional tests to determine the severity and duration of his absence, stating, “He’s been dealing with this for a while, and after yesterday’s game, he informed me that he couldn’t continue.”
Baez reported his ongoing hip and back issues to Hinch following his games against the Cubs and will return to Detroit for further evaluation. This season, Baez is hitting .184 with six home runs, 37 RBIs, 50 hits, and eight stolen bases. In response to his injury, the Tigers recalled Ryan Kreidler from Triple-A Toledo.
javier baez
Despite Baez’s absence, the Tigers managed a 5-2 comeback win against the White Sox in their series opener. Detroit’s Matt Vierling drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning with a grounder off White Sox reliever Justin Anderson. Vierling discussed his approach to the at-bat, emphasizing the importance of getting the runner home, saying, “With first and third, less than two outs, tie game in the seventh — my plan was to just put the ball in play, ideally with a sac fly or something similar.”
Vierling stuck to his strategy, helping the Tigers secure the win. The White Sox, currently one of the worst teams in the league, are on track for 122 losses and now hold a 31-98 record. Detroit maintained its lead with scoreless innings from right-handed relievers Shelby Miller in the eighth and Jason Foley in the ninth.
The Tigers will continue their three-game series against the White Sox in Chicago on Saturday.
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