Javier Báez

28 februari 2026

Hits first spring home run

Baez went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Analyse

Baez has now gone 4-for-7 through three spring games, and his home run Friday was his first of the exhibition slate. Earlier this month, the veteran was suspended from the World Baseball Classic for testing positive for marijuana in March 2023. The WBC's governing body classifies marijuana as a banned substance, but Major League Baseball does not, so his status with the Tigers is unaffected. Baez looks like Detroit's primary shortstop to begin the year, though he could also move into a utility role and play some in center, particularly if top prospect Kevin McGonigle makes a push for the role at short. The 33-year-old had something of a bounceback campaign in 2025, but his fantasy value overall has been trending down across his four seasons with the Tigers.