Javier Báez injury update: 'Significant' ankle sprain sidelines veteran

ATLANTA – The Detroit Tigers will be without Javier Báez for a while.

The 33-year-old shortstop/center fielder landed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, April 29, with a right ankle sprain before the second of three games against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.

"It's a significant ankle sprain," manager A.J. Hinch said before Wednesday's game. "I don't know what that means in terms of timeline."

THE INJURY: Javier Báez carted off in Tigers game after scary leg injury

Detroit Tigers center fielder Javier Baez (28) is carted off after an injury against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

The injury happened in the fifth inning of Tuesday's 5-2 loss, when Báez tried to avoid a tag while running to first base. He left the ballpark Tuesday in a boot on his right foot.

Báez isn't eligible to return to the Tigers until May 9 and the team called up infielder Jace Jung to replace him.

"If he's back by then, great," Hinch said. "If it takes longer, it's because of swelling and soreness."

In 2026, Báez is hitting .256 with two home runs, two walks and 16 strikeouts over 24 games, opting a .678 OPS. He has spent 129⅓ innings at shortstop, 53 innings in center field and 15⅔ innings at second base.