Detroit Tigers' Javier Báez leaves game as left shoulder flares up, not considered serious

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7 days ago

ARLINGTON, TX — On June 14, Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez tried to score from first base on a ball to the right-center gap, but an aggressive send resulted in him thrown out at home plate on a relay from Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz.
It wasn't a close play at the plate.
Báez appeared to hurt his left shoulder on the head-first slide, as he remained on the ground for a few moments. As it turns out, he did suffer an injury that day.
"My shoulder kind of got stuck," Báez said Sunday, July 20, more than a month later. "It's been bothering me, but I feel good. We've been doing treatment."
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In Sunday's game, Báez exited in the sixth inning with no obvious injury, replaced by Trey Sweeney at shortstop. Although there wasn't a specific play that triggered the issue, Báez said he felt soreness in his left shoulder while he was playing.
The Tigers beat the Texas Rangers, 2-1, at Globe Life Field, snapping a season-long six game losing streak. Báez went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts before his departure.
Manager A.J. Hinch didn't provide a specific diagnosis.
"So Javy came into the dugout and just said he didn't feel right," Hinch said after Sunday's win. "I asked him what was going on. He just kept saying he didn't feel right, so I took him out of the game."
Báez clarified afterward.
"I was just trying to figure it out," Báez said. "I didn't want to keep playing with soreness. It is sore a little bit, but we've been doing treatment today, and we'll do treatment tomorrow, and we'll see how it feels."
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In 2025, Báez is hitting .274 with 10 home runs and a .746 OPS in 81 games, reclaiming his role as the Tigers' primary shortstop. The 32-year-old made the All-Star Game for the third time in his 12-year MLB career. He is one of the top candidates for American League Comeback Player of the Year.
Báez doesn't expect a stint on the injured list.
"Not for now," Báez said. "I don't think so. I think I will get better day-to-day. I'll see how it feels tomorrow."
Need more proof that Báez is in the clear?
He led the line of high-fives to celebrate the win, joked with teammates in the clubhouse after the game and rotated his left shoulder freely like it was no big deal.
"I think it's something connected with all the muscles that go through my shoulder," Báez said, "but my shoulder, as you can see, it's really good. I have really good mobility."
Contact Evan Petzold at [e-mail] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Javier Baez out early vs Rangers