Báez plays third base to prep for lineup scenarios

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez throws to first base in the fifth inning of a 2023 game against the Houston Astros. ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

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By Chris McCosky

The Detroit News

LAKELAND, Fla. >> It was inevitable that, sooner or later, especially with Matt Vierling starting the season on the injured list, either Javier Báez or Trey Sweeney was going to get reps at third base.

It happened Thursday. Báez, for the first time since 2019, got a start at third base.

“It was a very easy conversation,” manager AJ Hinch said. “If the scenario came up where Trey and Javy are both in the lineup, whether that’s starting the game or whether that’s an in-game move, how are we going to do it?

“Javy has done this before. He was one of the premier players moving around the diamond when he first broke in. I want to give him a few reps. I let him know. He said great. Like all these guys, anything to get into the lineup.”

Báez said he was on board.

“Yeah,” he said. “I’ve done it before.”

At this point, Hinch said, there are no roster conclusions to be drawn from this. It’s just preparing for any and all eventualities in a season.

“It’s tied to the fact that anything can happen during the season with the way this roster was created,” Hinch said. “We’re trying to prepare for everything and have the first reps taken in a relatively benign environment.

“I don’t want to say who cares, but this is the place to do it. I think Dodger Stadium is a little tougher. I think opening day in Detroit is a little tougher if that’s the first time they were in that situation.”

It’s why Kerry Carpenter has played both right field and left field. It’s why Justyn-Henry Malloy, after playing first base the first half of camp, started in left field Wednesday. It’s why Riley Greene started in center field for the second straight game Thursday. It’s why Andy Ibanez and Zach McKinstry are getting corner-outfield reps. It’s why first baseman Colt Keith took reps at second base Wednesday.

And it’s why, as Hinch hinted, Báez may also get reps at other positions (center field or second base, perhaps).

“Once he gets on the field, he’s going to be fine,” Hinch said. “This guy is a baseball player and a lot of his natural instincts will take over. He doesn’t want to make mistakes or be in a position that’s too unfamiliar.”