The Detroit Tigers placed center fielder Javier Báez and right-hander Casey Mize on the injured list Wednesday after both players suffered injuries in Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves.
Báez was diagnosed with a sprained right ankle, while Mize sustained a right adductor strain. The Tigers recalled infielder Jace Jung and left-hander Enmanuel DeJesus in corresponding moves.
Báez tried to avoid a collision with Braves first baseman Matt Olson while running down the line on a groundout to shortstop. As he went to duck past Olson and attempt a slide, he slipped across the bag, and his right leg turned under him. Báez needed help getting up after being examined by trainers and was carted off the field.
Javy Baez left the game on a cart after this slide into first base pic.twitter.com/hEFcZX3MVP
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 29, 2026
Following Tuesday's game, Báez said that he could put pressure on his ankle and believed it was "feeling better," according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. However, he underwent an MRI that revealed a "pretty significant" sprain, manager A.J. Hinch told reporters Wednesday.
"I don't know what that means in terms of timeline other than it's a minimum of 15 days," Hinch said. "If he's back by then, that's great. If it takes longer, it's because of swelling and soreness. He left here in a boot yesterday to protect (the ankle). He was moving around a little bit better today but clearly not available to play today or in the coming days."
Báez has become a valuable utility piece for Detroit, starting games at three different positions this year. The 33-year-old is hitting .256/.280/.397 with two homers and six RBIs over 82 plate appearances.
Mize, meanwhile, hurt himself while fielding a ground ball in the third inning. He immediately left the game with what the team initially called right groin tightness, and an MRI on Wednesday confirmed a Grade 1 strain.
"We got probably the most optimistic news we can get on Casey - that it's a Grade 1, it's mild," Hinch said.
He added, "Hopefully ... time heals that, and he'll continue with his arm moving and things like that."
The former first overall pick owns a 2.90 ERA, 2.87 FIP, and 1.19 WHIP with 35 strikeouts across six starts this season.
