“Javy had some back problems a while ago,” Hinch said. “He succeeded. But I had a meeting with him this weekend and he let me know that it was getting harder and harder for him to feel like he could get through the game.
Báez, 31 and in the third year of a six-year contract worth $140 million, was 2 years old for his last 21 and was down .183/.209/.247 with an OPS- more than 30.
“One of the things about Javy, through all of this, has been his persistence in being in the lineup and being available; to be there and give everything he can,” Hinch said. “A tough kid. To play through everything from performance peaks and valleys to back inflammation and pain.
“I’m glad he told me and we can get to the bottom of this and get him healthy again.”
Hinch said he expects Kreidler, who missed most of the first two months of the season with a hand injury, and Zach McKinstry to share the shortstop position, not a right-handed platoon (Kreidler hits right-handed and McKinstry left-handed), but close. . And that spot in the batting order becomes another way for Hinch to play matchups throughout games.
“We were waiting for Kreidler to be up and running and he had a slow ramp up early in his rehab,” Hinch said. “But I told Ryan that this would probably be the first time in his professional career that he felt a little more in the mix and in the flow of the game.
“On that note,” I told him, “don’t try to do anything but your best.”
Kreidler, 26, made his big league debut in 2022 and left the club after spring training in 2023. He was among the last selections this spring and then the first week of the Triple-A season, broke a bone in his hand – the same hand he had broken twice before and had a plate installed in.
“In those circumstances, you don’t want that to happen to your teammate,” Kreidler said. “I hope it’s only a short time for Javy and he’ll be back with us soon.” But it’s a big opportunity for me and I’m going to take it. Just play hard, keep guys in the mix and do my part defensively to win some games.
Kreidler is probably second only to Báez in the organization in terms of defensive skill at shortstop. The bat has always been a work in progress, although he was hitting the ball extremely well this spring before the hand injury, which sent him back to Low-A Lakeland for rehab.
“Brutal,” he said. “Lakeland, Florida is not a vacation destination this time of year, no offense. It’s been a long year for me in terms of injuries. Some tough breaks. But you just stick your head in the dirt until you come out the other side.
Kreidler had been back with Toledo for five games. He went 4-for-15 with a home run and four RBIs, plus eight strikeouts.
“I feel good,” he said. “These last few days with Toledo, I felt more like myself. But it is an evolving and never-ending process. I just want to do my part to help the team win as many games as possible.
Again, this is not an audition for Kreidler. He won’t be the everyday shortstop. It will be split time between him and McKinstry, but with the Tigers facing two left-handed starters in this series against the Nationals, Kreidler will get a good baptism.
“We like his defense,” Hinch said. “We love his energy. His running sense is good. The bat was the big question. … But we have a very reliable defender and someone who’s probably overdue to get some at-bats in the big leagues to see where that takes him.
Around the horn
Tigers starter Jack Flaherty , according to the team’s bi-weekly medical update, received a cortisone injection in his lower back. He is expected to play Wednesday and remain on track to make his next start this weekend at Houston.
Nationals with the Tigers
First pitch: 6:40 p.m. Wednesday, Comerica Park, Detroit
Television/radio: Bally Sports Detroit/97.1 FM
Reconnaissance report
RHP Jake Irvin (4-5, 3.12), Nationals: The 6-6 Minnesotan is on a streak of four straight quality starts (four earned runs, 26 strikeouts, four walks, .186 opponent average). He has an elite curveball (0.170 opponent average) that he throws 94 mph with a 7-0 reach. He also throws a sinker and he added a cutter.
RHP Reese Olson (1-7, 3.43), Tigers: June didn’t treat him well. In his last two starts, he was tagged for 13 earned runs in 9.1 innings with opponents hitting .409/.426/.682 with a 1.107 OPS. Command was the main culprit. Too often he found himself in disadvantaged accounts. But he also struggles a bit with his slider. The Red Sox crushed him (average exit velocity of 106 mph) and the spin rate was down 124 rpm from his norm against the Brewers.
chris.mccosky@detroitnews.com
@cmccosky
