One awkward slide into first base may have just cost the Detroit Tigers their $140 million shortstop.
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During Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Braves, Detroit lost two key players in just a few innings. The scariest moment came midway through the game, when a routine play ended with the team’s highest-paid star leaving the field on a cart.
After Casey Mize was pulled from the game after pitching just 2.1 innings with a reported groin issue, Javier Báez left the game with an ankle injury in the fifth inning.
“Javy Báez was carted off from tonight’s game after this awkward slide into first base,” reported BR Walk-Off.
Báez, who is currently playing on a massive six-year, $140 million contract, hit a ground ball to Braves shortstop Mauricio Dubón. Dubón threw the ball high. The throw pulled first baseman Matt Olson off the bag. Báez saw Olson blocking his path and decided to slide feet-first to avoid a collision.
But as he reached the base, his right cleat caught the dirt, and his ankle folded awkwardly. Báez immediately grabbed his leg as trainers rushed out to check on him. He tried to get up on his own but could not and had to be carted off the field.
Wenceel Pérez replaced him while Matt Vierling shifted to center field.
Javy Báez was carted off from tonight's game after this awkward slide into first base Prayers up 🙏
“I got a little treatment, I feel much better than after it happened with all the treatment I got here,” Báez shared after the game. “I can put pressure on my ankle now. It’s feeling better,” he added.
Báez confirmed that an MRI was scheduled for the next day to understand the full extent of the injury. He was not using crutches or any support in the clubhouse, which is good news for any Tigers fan.
The Tigers officially placed him on the 10-day injured list.
They also put Mize on the 15-day IL.
Mize’s injury occurred in the second inning of Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves, forcing him to exit with one out in the third inning after running to field a bunt. Detroit has recalled left-handed reliever Enmanuel De Jesus from Triple-A Toledo to replace Mize.
Báez has a history of foot and heel injuries. Hence, speculation about an ACL injury spread fast among fans on social media.
Báez has been hitting .256 with two home runs and six RBIs across 82 plate appearances. The Tigers’ major advantage with Báez was that he could play multiple positions: shortstop, center field, and second base, giving the team flexibility.
Losing him removes a player who could shift roles depending on matchups and lineup needs. Without that flexibility, Detroit may struggle to adjust quickly during games.
Manager A.J. Hinch had talked about this openly during spring training.
“We need him. He’s a big part of what we’re doing. The fact that we’re moving him around isn’t an indictment of him.”
That is exactly why the Detroit Tigers fans are praying for Báez to return sooner.
Tigers fans worry after Javier Báez was taken off the field
A fan summed up the mood around the injury pretty simply. “Looks to be a right ankle injury. Hopefully, it’s not too bad.”
After the reports came out saying it was an ankle injury, the fans’ mood got worse. He already has problems with his legs, especially his ankle and heel. In 2019, he had a left heel bruise that kept him out for around 10 days and was then used as a DH, limiting his defensive abilities.
“Hoping it’s nothing serious, injuries like that can happen so fast in baseball,” one fan reacted. This fits the moment around Javier Báez’s ankle injury. With an MRI pending, the extent of his injury is still unknown. But an ankle injury usually takes about 2 weeks to heal. And if that is the case, the Tigers will lose infield flexibility for that time, and Hinch will have to be very careful with how he handles the lineup.
Another summed up the emotion of every fan in Detroit with, “We pray for a quick recovery.” Because the Detroit Tigers will start feeling the heat without him. Báez has played 24 out of the 30 games for the Tigers and has been a major part of the offense. Báez has an average of .256 with an OPS of .678. This might not be the superstar numbers he put up with the Chicago Cubs, but it shows that he is still a consistent bat for the Tigers’ lineup.
“Javier Báez’s ACL was reported in the chat. If confirmed, he’d miss the entire season,” worried one fan. If this is an ACL injury, Báez can forget about coming back this season. An ACL injury will take anywhere between 9 and 12 months. And with Báez already at 33 and having faced multiple problems with his foot, the recovery might not be as easy as that of other players.
Another comment read, “Anyone criticizing this doesn’t know ball (or give common sense)…. U think crashing into Olson won’t hurt?” Javier Báez was forced into an awkward slide after a high throw pulled Matt Olson off the base. He tried to avoid direct contact and twisted his body mid-motion, and that led to this “stupid” injury.
And imagine if Baez had tried to run through the base and had a bad collision with Olson and had a concussion or a neck injury? It would have been much worse.
“Healing prayers sent,” wrote another fan.
Detroit Tigers must manage Javier Báez carefully now, because injuries change everything for an athlete. To replace Javy, they have called infielder Jace Jung from Triple-A Toledo. He had struggled in his limited opportunities in the big leagues for the past two seasons and has not been elite in his minor league start in 2026, either. Jung was producing a .222/.358/.364 slash line and 103 wRC+ while striking out at a 22.8 percent clip over 123 plate appearances.
Now, while he will debut as a DH on Wednesday night against Atlanta, he will also be an option at 1B, 2B, and 3B. But it’s still not clear if Jung will be in line for regular starts or if Detroit will rotate its players while Javier Báez recovers.
