Injuries & Moves: Báez expected back for camp
The Tigers' injuries and roster moves page will be updated throughout the offseason. Detroit's 40-man Major League roster is currently at 39, with four players on the 60-day injured list: Sawyer Gipson-Long, Brendan White, Javier Báez and Alex Faedo. They will be added back to the roster after the conclusion of the World Series.
LATEST NEWS
Oct. 14: SS Javier Báez (right hip surgery) expected to be part of Spring Training workouts
The Tigers’ late-season success came largely with Báez sidelined, having undergone surgery on Sept. 3. President of baseball operations Scott Harris said there’s still a role on the team for Báez, who has three seasons and $73 million left on his contract, as a right-handed hitter in what was a lefty-heavy lineup down the stretch. While his readiness for next Opening Day remains in question, he should be close enough to work out with the team in camp.
“One of the things that we talked about this summer was he was struggling to rotate. He was feeling restricted,” Harris said. “We think a lot of that has to do with his hips, so him undergoing the procedure and coming out of the procedure positively is a good sign for us. He’s got to get a lot better this offseason to demonstrate that he can make our infield better, but there’s no reason to suggest that he won’t have a role in this team if he comes out of the surgery feeling like he can rotate the way he used to when he was performing among the best players in the game, and he certainly fits the framework of our infield right now.
“We know he’ll be participating in Spring Training. He may be ready by Opening Day. We’re just not sure yet, because we’ve got to see how he gets through all the checkpoints of his rehab. But there’s a reason why he got the surgery as early as he did, to try to give him the best chance possible to be ready for Opening Day. The general timeline will allow him to be a participant in Spring Training and have a fighting chance to be ready for Opening Day.”
SS/2B Kevin McGonigle (right hamate fracture; No. 3 on Tigers' Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: 2025
McGonigle is completing daily rehab following hamate surgery on Aug. 15. He sustained the fracture fouling off a pitch on Aug. 10 at High-A West Michigan.
In his first full season, the 37th overall pick of last year's MLB Draft put together a .309/.401/.452 slash line with 25 extra-base hits and 22 stolen bases over 60 games for Single-A Lakeland and 14 for West Michigan. He also drew 46 walks compared to 28 strikeouts. (Last updated: Aug. 27)
2B Hao-Yu Lee (lumbar spine inflammation; No. 8 on Tigers' Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: 2025
Lee, who injured his lower back while hitting during a game on Aug. 15 with Double-A Erie, continues to rehab the injury daily. (Last updated: Aug. 27)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
INF Javier Báez (right hip surgery)
Expected return: Possibly Opening Day 2025
Báez had season-ending arthroscopic right hip surgery on Sept. 3 and returned to Detroit for rehab work at Comerica Park. He is expected to take part in Spring Training workouts with a chance to be ready for Opening Day. (Last updated: Oct. 14)
RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long (left hip, right forearm)
Expected return: 2025
Gipson-Long was scheduled to begin a throwing program the week of Sept. 30, about five months after he underwent Tommy John surgery. It’s an encouraging development towards getting him back to pitching next year. (Last updated: Sept. 27)
RHP Brendan White (right radial nerve injury)
Expected return: 2025
White underwent a hydrodissection procedure on Aug. 20, similar to the procedure Beau Brieske had to address his nerve issues last year. He began a throwing progression the week of Sept. 2, and threw a bullpen session on Sept. 24. That clears the way for him to begin a standard offseason strength and conditioning program. (Last updated: Sept. 27)
RHP Alex Faedo (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: 2025
Faedo received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his shoulder, according to the Tigers, after reporting lingering shoulder soreness before and after a stint on the paternity list in late August. The Tigers transferred Faedo to the 60-day injured list on Aug. 30, having determined he will not be ready in time to pitch again during the 2024 season. However, he is expected to have a full, healthy offseason. (Last updated: Aug. 30)