CHICAGO >> Javier Báez was hoping the last injection in his lower back would get him through the rest of the season.

It did not.

Báez, who got the injection to alleviate the pain and tightness in his lower back and hip area on June 14, played 27 games through July and August. But after going 1-for-3 Thursday at Wrigley Field, he pulled the plug.

“He came into my office after the game and just kept talking about the lingering issues with his hip and back,” manager AJ Hinch said. “We sent him for tests and the initial tests indicated he needed to go on the injured list.”

For now, the Tigers are listing him out with right hip and lumbar spine inflammation. He was sent back to Detroit for further testing.

“He’s been battling things for a while,” Hinch said. “He came in yesterday and said he couldn’t go. I feel for him. We’ve talked to him about this time and time again and it just hasn’t been good for him.”

Hinch stopped short of saying season was over.

“As we learn more in the next 24 to 48 hours, we’ll know more about what the next month looks like and what, if any, baseball he’s going to be able to do,” Hinch said.

The Tigers are in the same boat with injured starter Reese Olson (shoulder) and outfielder Wenceel Perez (oblique). There is value to finishing the season healthy going into the offseason and the Tigers are encouraging them to keep working.

But time is not on their side.

New role for Kreidler

Shortstop Ryan Kreidler was called up from Triple-A Toledo to take Báez’s spot on the roster. It is his third call-up this season, but this one is different.

“He’s going to be working in a utility role,” Hinch said.

Rookie Trey Sweeney, acquired by the Tigers from the Dodgers in the Jack Flaherty trade, will get the bulk of the starts at shortstop.

“Kreids will start at shortstop tomorrow against (White Sox lefty) Ky Bush,” Hinch said. “I will mix him in at short, third and maybe even at second base. He played some center field in this last stint at Toledo, too.

“He’s going to be in a true utility role, kind of a right-handed version of Zach McKinstry.”

In 15 games since he was optioned to Toledo on Aug. 2, Kreidler was hitting .246/.339/.437 with a double, two triples and two home runs.

Last hurdle

Barring any setbacks, right-hander Casey Mize was set to make his final rehab start with Toledo on Saturday. He’s built up to 63 pitches and in his last two starts he’s pitched into the fourth inning.

“We hope so,” Hinch said when asked if this was Mize’s last one. “It was mapped out to be a decision point after that. We hope he can build his endurance. That’s the biggest thing separating him from being able to come back versus where he’s at right now.”

Mize has allowed just one run in nine innings with the Mud Hens, with 10 strikeouts and four walks. The Tigers, though, want to see him maintain his stuff and his command as he gets into and through five innings.

“I talked to him on the phone this week,” Hinch said. “I told him to make sure he accomplishes something in this outing to put himself in the best position to be activated. He still needs to accomplish a few things in order to solidify that.”

Mize, out since July 1 with a left hamstring strain, is eligible to come off the injured list Aug. 30.

Not his fault

Because the White Sox, who entered Saturday with 98 losses, are challenging the dubious 119-loss valley last resided in by the 2003 Tigers team, Hinch has been getting asked about the horrors of that season.

Hinch caught 25 games for that Alan Trammell-managed team in 2003. But here’s the nugget: The Tigers had a 13-12 record in the games Hinch started behind the plate.

“Believe it,” Hinch said, laughing. “I apologize to Tram every year. Maybe I shouldn’t apologize. He didn’t play me enough. The manager is always at fault, right?”

Well, Hinch’s .203 batting average, sub-.400 slugging percentage and the fact he threw out just three of 26 base stealers may have also impacted Trammell’s catcher rotation.