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Javier Báez's season with the Detroit Tigers ended prematurely due to right hip injury

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CHICAGO – Shortstop Javier Báez will not play another game for the Detroit Tigers in the 2024 season.

The 31-year-old Báez has to undergo surgery on his right hip.

The season-ending procedure – arthroscopic surgery on his right hip – is scheduled to take place next week, but the Tigers have not announced a date or surgeon as they are still finalizing the details of the plan for Báez's surgery.

“We have to get him healthy again,” manager AJ Hinch said Monday afternoon after announcing the surgery. “It's going to be a long process, but hopefully it will be successful.”

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Báez posted a .184 batting average with six home runs, 12 walks and 69 strikeouts in 80 games in 2024, completing the third season of a six-year, $140 million contract with the Tigers.

In 2024, he earned $25 million.

He is still owed $73 million on his contract for the 2025-27 season.

“It's our number one priority to get him healthy again, for his own health,” Hinch said, “and obviously we need him healthy to get the best player out of him. There's no doubt it's been a really rough time for him in his career and as a Tiger, but that doesn't mean that can't change. I hope for him – and for us – that this brings some clarity, gets him healthy again and gets him back to performing the way he can and will.”

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The Tigers placed Báez on the 10-day injured list on Friday due to lumbar spine and hip inflammation, immediately after his return to Wrigley Field for a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.

Before Monday's game at the White Sox, the Tigers placed Báez on the 60-day injured list due to the season-ending surgery, opening a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Ty Madden – who was making his MLB debut.

Báez, who played for the Cubs from 2014 to 2021, was one of baseball's worst hitters in his three seasons with the Tigers, posting a .221 batting average and .610 OPS in 360 games. His OPS has declined in each of the three seasons, from .671 in 2022 to .593 in 2023 to .516 in 2024.

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He previously spent a month on the injured list in 2024, from June 9 to July 7, due to lumbar spine inflammation. He has suffered from lower back pain for several years. The new hip injury, which requires surgery, is related to the recurring back injury.

The Tigers hope that Báez will improve his performance, especially on offense, after surgery.

“I think that's a huge step to get him back to turning in a way that he can't and getting him back to shooting in a way that he can't and getting his agility and mobility back,” Hinch said.

Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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