Tigers' Javier Báez Not Close to Returning

In what has already become a lost season for the Detroit Tigers, they don't appear close to getting one of their top hitters back anytime soon.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch revealed on Tuesday that Javier Báez will see a specialist for his right ankle injury, which has yet to show any signs of progress.

Javy Báez will see a specialist for his right ankle injury, which has not progressed as hoped, according to manager A.J. Hinch.

— Jason Beck (@beckjason) May 26, 2026

Báez sprained his right ankle back on April 29 after sliding awkwardly into first base during the Tigers' game against the Atlanta Braves. He was carted off the field and placed on the IL shortly afterwards.

This update from Hinch is certainly concerning. Báez appeared close to returning as the 33-year-old has reportedly gone through hitting and running progression in an attempt to help a Tigers team that has vastly disappointed this season. But after this update from Hinch, it begs the question of whether Báez will even return this season, especially with Detroit currently in last place in the American League Central with a record of 21-33.

In 24 games this season, Báez is batting .256/.280/.397 with two home runs, six RBI and an OPS of .677. Báez is in the fifth year of a six-year, $140 million contract he signed with the Tigers in December 2021 and is coming off his first All-Star Game selection with Detroit in 2025.

The Tigers have also recently snapped an eight-game losing streak and are without reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, Tarik Skubal, who went on the IL back at the beginning of May to undergo surgery for loose bodies in his left elbow.

2026 has been a disastrous one for the Tigers, who entered the year with World Series aspirations after coming off back-to-back playoff campaigns. With this latest setback for Báez as well as still being without Skubal, the good times in the Motor City have appeared to subside.

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 5:23 PM.