The Tigers have placed stopper Javier Baez on the injured list, recalls the Toledo goalie

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have placed struggling reliever Javier Baez on the 10-day injured list with lumbar spondylitis.

Infielder Ryan Kreidler has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo and will start Tuesday’s series opener against the Washington Nationals.

During his tenure with the Tigers, Baez has dealt with intermittent back problems and said the pain would come and go in 2024. However, it got worse on Sunday and after a meeting with manager AJ Hinch, Baez decided it was time to try to address it problem. edition.

“Of course I want to be there,” Baez said. But if I want to help the team in the long run, I have to do that and try to come back in the second half.

Baez said he would fly to Florida to consult with a doctor and will be away from the team’s facility in Lakeland for several days. He will then return to Detroit to begin the rehabilitation process.

It is unclear how long he will be sidelined, but it is expected to be more than 10 days.

“I met with him over the weekend and he let me know that it was getting harder for him to feel like he could get through the game,” Hinch said. “We examined him, he visited a doctor, we had imaging tests done and it turned out that he was in hospital.

“He is going to undergo further tests with multiple doctors and see if we can alleviate this soreness and back problems.”

Baez, 31, is one of the worst hitters in the league in 2024. In 196 plate appearances, he’s hitting .183 with a .456 OPS (30 OPS+). He has nine doubles and just one home run. He walked six times and struck out 42 times.

Baez has been booed at Comerica Park with varying intensity and frequency since he first showed signs of prolonged struggles in 2022. The big contract made him a target.

Baez signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Tigers ahead of the 2022 season. After a slow start, he performed quite well in 2022, raising hopes that he could continue that momentum in 2023.

It didn’t happen. Baez was one of the least productive offensive players in all of baseball in 2023 (he finished 132nd out of 133 qualified players in singles). Baez’s defense, while inconsistent at times, is still above average. However, his offense has deteriorated since signing with the Tigers. In three seasons in Detroit – 1,333 plate appearances – Baez hit .223 with 27 home runs and a 70 OPS+. The contract is valid until 2027.

“One of the things through all of this was his persistence in staying in the lineup, being available and giving his all,” Hinch said. “He’s a tough kid and wants to get through anything. It flies everywhere, dives everywhere.

“I have no idea how much (the back) has affected him, but I’m glad he told us so we can try to get to the bottom of this and get him healthy.”

Drafted by the Tigers in the fourth round out of UCLA in 2019, Kreidler had a short stint in the big leagues the past two seasons and even made the Opening Day roster in 2023. The 26-year-old has gone 11-31 with two homers and eight walks this spring, one of the last stretches of camp.

However, after a strong spring, his season isn’t going so smoothly. Kreidler broke his right finger after being hit by a pitch on April 4 and spent weeks on the injured list. He went 2-for-20 with 11 hits while rehabbing at Class-A Lakeland, and only over the last few days did he seem to be finding his rhythm on the field at Triple-A Toledo.

Kreidler was hit by the ball with the same hand in 2022 and missed several weeks. Later in the season, he missed time with a groin strain. He also underwent surgery on his torso muscles last summer.

“Brutal,” Kreidler said when asked to describe his last few weeks. “Lakeland, Florida is not exactly a vacation spot this time of year.

“It’s been a long few years for me, injury-wise. Some tough breaks. But you (work hard) and come out on the other side.

Kreidler, a right-handed hitter, will split time with left-handed hitting utility Zach McKinstry at shortstop, Hinch said. Andy Ibanez can also play short at times.

“It will be a bit like a timeshare,” Hinch said. “I told both guys they would play and be part of the mix.

“Kreidlers will be playing against all left-handers, but he will also have some right-handed strikeouts.”

40-man TIGERS squad (40)

Players on the active roster are in bold.

Left-handed throwers (5): : Andrzej Chafin, Tyler HoltonEaston Lucas, Tarik Skubal, Joey Wentz.

Right-handed pitchers (15): : Beau Brieske, Mason EnglertAlex Faedo*, Jack FlahertyWilmer Flores**, Jason FoleyAlex Lange, Kent Maeda,Matt Manning, Shelby Miller, Casey MizeKeider Montero, Reese Olson, Villa VestaBrendan White**.

Catchers (3):Dillon Dingler, Carson Kelly, Jake Rogers.

Goalkeepers (8): Javier Báez*, Andy Ibañez, Colt Keith, Ryan KreidlerEddie Leonard, Zach McKinstrySpencer Torkelson, Gio Urshela.

Outfielders (9): : Akila Baddoo, Marek CanhaKerry Carpenter*, Riley Green, Justin-Henry MalloyParker Meadows, Wencel Perez, Matt VierlingRyan Vilade.

*On the 10- or 15-day injured list.

**On minor league 7-day injured list

Right-handed pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long (Tommy John surgery) has been on the 60-day injured list and is not counted on the 40-man roster.