Javy Báez leaves Tigers game after taking wicked foul ball off the face

Detroit Tigers fans everywhere are holding their breath after shortstop Javy Báez left Friday's series opener against the Miami Marlins with a potential head injury.

With the Tigers trailing 1-0 in the second inning at loanDepot Park, Báez swung at a changeup from Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara that was high and inside and fouled the ball off of his forehead. The ball knocked Báez's helmet off of his head as he crumpled to the ground while covering his face with both hands.

The game paused briefly as team medical personnel attended to Báez at home plate. Fortunately, he was able to stand up and walk off on his own power, but he had a visible knot on his forehead before he even stood up. The Tigers have yet to provide an official update on Báez's injury status, but he was immediately removed from the game and replaced by Trey Sweeney at shortstop.

Sweeney replaced Báez in the batter's box, inheriting an 0-2 count with two outs. He struck out swinging.

Tigers hopeful Javy Báez injury isn't too serious after early exit vs Marlins

The Tigers will almost certainly evaluate Báez for a concussion, but they will have to hope that his injury doesn't keep him out for an extended period as they gear up for a playoff run next month.

Báez has had a resurgent season in Detroit, earning an All-Star nod as a center fielder – a position he had never played prior to this season. His defensive versatility and offensive reawakening have made him a key contributor to the Tigers' success, and he is slashing .256/.284/.400 while appearing at four different defensive positions – second base, third base, shortstop and center field – for Detroit this season.

The Tigers currently hold an 8.5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the American League Central and are hoping to clinch their first division title in more than a decade as they eye the final two-plus weeks of the regular season. They've been a better team with Báez in the lineup this season, so they will have to hope that his injury isn't serious enough to sideline him for a significant period of time.

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