Javier

Baez

Báez has shouldered a heavy workload for the Tigers this season and made a couple of rare gaffes in the field on Thursday evening, so manager A.J. Hinch will give him a breather to reset. Zach McKinstry will slide over and cover shortstop and bat sixth for the Tigers against Guardians’ right-hander Slade Cecconi.

Judge earned an automatic starting berth as the league-leader in phase one balloting for the Midsummer Classic, which will be played on July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta. The 33-year-old Yankees icon, who has launched 33 homers and piled up 67 RBI through 85 games this season, is headed to his seventh All-Star Game in a couple weeks. Here’s the entire AL starting lineup: Cal Raleigh (C), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B), Gleyber Torres (2B), Jacob Wilson (SS), José Ramírez (3B), Judge (OF), Riley Greene (OF), Javier Báez (OF) and Ryan O’Hearn (DH). The complete All-Star rosters, including pitchers and reserves, will be announced this weekend.

Báez, on the day that he celebrated 10 years of service time in the major leagues, celebrated by crushing a 407-foot (100.5 mph EV) solo shot off of Bailey Falter in the fifth inning that tied the game at 3-3. He then delivered an encore performance in the seventh with a 410-foot (102.2 mph EV) blast off of Carmen Mlodzinski that extended the Tigers’ advantage to 5-3. With his three-hit night, the versatile 32-year-old is now hitting .289/.324/.474 with nine long balls, 35 RBI and one stolen base on the season.

Báez, who was out on the play, tried a swim move with his left shoulder and seemed to be in pain afterwards, but he came out for the fourth and finished the game, even as the Reds turned it into an 11-1 blowout. Odds are this will prove to be nothing, but it seemed worth a mention anyway. Báez went 0-for-3 with a walk in the contest.

Báez belted a 392-foot (100.4 mph EV) solo shot off of Nick Martinez in the fourth inning that extended the Tigers’ early lead to 3-1. He then started a rally with a leadoff walk in the sixth inning and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Gleyber Torres. Báez added a two-run double in the eighth inning that made it 9-2 before scoring on a two-run single by Jake Rogers. With his three-hit attack, the 32-year-old is now hitting .284/.314/.443 with seven homers and 33 RBI on the season.

Meadows takes a seat after 2-for-8 with a pair of extra-base hits and one steal in two games since returning earlier this week from a two-month absence to open the year due to a nerve-related issue in his upper-right arm. The 25-year-old outfielder showed some really promising signs late last year when he made a midseason swing adjustment at Triple-A Toledo that helped unlock his power/speed combo potential. He should be rostered in all fantasy formats, even if he’s going to cede the occasional start to someone like Javier Báez, who is in center field on Wednesday night, a couple times per-week.

Meadows is in center field and leading off on Monday night against the White Sox in his highly-anticipated season debut. It’ll be interesting to see where he consistently bats in the order; he figured to be the Tigers’ leadoff man against righties before getting hurt this spring and missing the first two months with a nerve problem in his arm. For now, though, he’ll probably hit lower in the order on occasion, and he’ll likely sit against some lefties. Wenceel Pérez and Javier Báez will both likely lose playing time with Meadows back, but the Tigers will still do playing of mixing and matching. Meadows should eventually be helpful in mixed leagues, but it might take a little while as he works to reestablish himself.

This feels like a routine day off for Báez, but it’s worth noting because Wenceel Pérez is starting in center field for the second straight day since coming off the IL. Báez played third on Tuesday, but it seems like he may need to fill a utility role to stay in the lineup, especially with Parker Meadows also nearing a return. Báez could play third base and second base going forward, and also fill in the outfield when they give some of the starters off days.

Pérez returns to Detroit’s lineup ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Giants with Matt Vierling heading back to the injured list with shoulder inflammation. The 25-year-old outfielder has been on the shelf since the end of spring training with a back issue. He’ll factor in the Tigers’ center field rotation with Javier Báez moving forward.

Báez, who had to be restrained by two players after the initial discussion with Phil Cuzzi, was correct that the curve he struck out on should have been ball four. It would have been his first walk in 13 days and sixth in 45 games this season.