Javier Báez injury update should end Tigers nightmare outfield experiment

Javy Báez has been on the IL since April 29, and Tigers fans have actually kind of missed him. That would've been unheard of two years ago, and he wasn't even hitting especially well before he sprained his ankle and missed three months, but Báez still has his magic moments and Detroit could use some of those right about now.

After months of inactivity, the Tigers finally sent him on a rehab assignment on July 21. He only played in four games between Single-A and Triple-A, but going 5-for-9 with three doubles with the Mud Hens convinced the Tigers he was ready to return.

AJ Hinch told MLB Network Radio he expects Báez to be activated for Tuesday's game against the Orioles, despite saying on Sunday that the team expected to keep him in Toledo for a little while longer.

The Tigers will need to make a roster move to welcome Báez back, and there's really only one right answer: DFA James Outman.

Outman's go-ahead three-run homer against the Royals on July 23 was thrilling, but it was more a case of a broken clock being right twice a day than a signal that Outman was about to get hot.

Javy Báez's expected activation should force Tigers to give James Outman the boot

Outman, the Dodgers' Rookie of the Year finalist in 2023, was claimed by the Tigers after the Twins DFA'ed him in early June. It wasn't a terrible idea for Detroit at the time; their outfield depth has been severely tested this year with Parker Meadows, Wenceel Pérez, and Báez all on the IL for long stretches of time. The most optimistic fans wondered if he still had some that RoY potential in him to unearth.

That hasn't been the case. In 33 games and 89 at-bats, Outman is hitting .157 with a .517 OPS as a Tiger. His .157 average and .501 OPS between the Twins and Tigers make him one of the worst hitters in baseball.

The Tigers could (and might) go the safe route and option either Eduardo Valencia or Ben Malgeri, but even with their very short major league resumes, fans still might prefer to see them in big spots over Outman, who strikes out in nearly half of his at-bats.

Either way, it'll be good to have Báez back, not only for his surprising prowess in center field but for the hope we'll see El Mago make a return when the Tigers need him most.

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