Javier Báez Caught in Bizarre Double Play but Avoids Injury
Javier Báez’s tenure with the Detroit Tigers has been anything but smooth, and Wednesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays added another strange moment to his time in Motor City.
During what should have been a routine play, Báez found himself at the center of one of the most bizarre double plays in recent memory. The play began when Tigers outfielder Riley Greene lined a ball sharply up the middle. Rays shortstop Carson Williams made an impressive grab and quickly got to his feet to fire the ball to first base in an attempt to double off Báez.
However, what happened next left everyone watching in disbelief. Instead of completing the play cleanly, first baseman Jonathan Aranda’s throw struck Báez in the helmet. The ball ricocheted straight into the air, only for Aranda to track it down in foul territory and secure the out.
The confusion on the field was evident, and even those in the dugouts seemed momentarily unsure of what had just unfolded.
“That one buckled me. I don’t think Aranda knew what to do,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said, according to the Tigers’ official website. “The ball went over his head. He just kind of looked at it.”
Tigers broadcaster Carlos Peña summed it up perfectly: “There’s so many things that are going wrong.”
While the play quickly went viral, the good news for Báez and the Tigers is that he avoided injury. The two-time All-Star finished the game 0-for-2 but managed to draw a walk and score a run.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Cash added. “Bizarre. Glad nobody got hurt.”
Báez Still Looking to Bounce Back
While the play itself was a strange and entertaining moment, Báez’s struggles remain a serious concern for Detroit. Since signing a six-year, $140 million contract with the Tigers, he has struggled to find consistency at the plate. Over his three seasons in Detroit, Báez has hit just .221 with 32 home runs and a .610 OPS.
Last season was particularly rough, as he posted a career-worst -1.1 b WAR over just 80 games. However, there is some hope that he can turn things around. So far this spring, he has hit .250 with a home run and five RBIs, showing signs of improvement.
With the regular season set to begin on March 27 against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, Báez and the Tigers will be looking for a fresh start. If he can regain his All-Star form, moments like Wednesday’s bizarre play will become just a footnote in what Detroit fans hope is a bounce-back season.