The Detroit Tigers are getting closer to having Javier Baez back in the mix, and his latest rehab outing in Triple-A Toledo gave them another reason to feel good about the timeline.
Baez, who has been working back from an ankle injury, played for Toledo on Saturday and turned in a strong performance. He went 3-for-4 with three doubles, one RBI and one run scored before being removed in the seventh inning.
For a player making his first Triple-A rehab appearance in quite some time, that’s a pretty loud statement. The Tigers have already welcomed Gleyber Torres back from injury not long ago, and Baez appears to be next in line as Detroit edges closer to full strength in its starting lineup.
Still, there’s no rush baked into this decision. Because Baez has been sidelined for a few months, the Tigers can take the cautious route and leave him in Toledo a little longer to rack up more at-bats and plate appearances until he’s fully ready.
When he does return, Detroit should get a needed jolt. The offense could use more firepower for manager AJ Hinch and crew, and Baez’s bat would give them another option as they try to stay in the race.
That matters even more with Kerry Carpenter scuffling. Carpenter has been struggling in July, slashing .170/.120/.170 for the month, and those numbers simply aren’t enough for a team chasing a division title.
Carpenter has been one of the names Tigers fans usually think of when they picture reliable offense, especially after his big postseason moments last year. But with his production down, Baez has a chance to help make up some of that missing offense once he’s back in the lineup.
Baez’s own numbers before the injury weren’t exactly eye-popping, either. He was hitting .256/.280/.397 with an OPS of .678. Even so, if he can settle in and produce on a daily basis after returning, that would give Detroit a much-needed lift and could go a long way toward improving the Tigers’ postseason outlook.
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