Last week, AJ Hinch delivered some news that Tigers fans were hoping not to hear: Javy Báez is hitting pause on baseball activities due to a stubborn ankle sprain. The injury, which he sustained in a slide attempt at first base back on April 28, just isn’t healing as expected.
Fast forward to Tuesday, and the Tigers’ medical update didn’t exactly bring a wave of optimism. Báez is “completing rehab daily,” which, in team speak, means there’s not much change to report. The ankle’s been diagnosed with a high sprain – no fractures or breaks, thankfully – but the specialist has advised more rest since the treatment hasn’t worked its magic yet.
“Javy needs some time off,” Hinch mentioned. “He’s just not progressing very quickly, and right now rest is still part of the equation.”
But as Gleyber Torres and Kerry Carpenter rejoin the lineup with a bang, the urgency to rush Báez back onto the field has eased. With his rehab timeline essentially reset, it wouldn’t be shocking if Báez doesn’t make a return until around the All-Star break.
Shifting gears to other Tigers injury updates, left-handed pitcher Jake Miller is back on the mound. After being added to the 40-man roster last November to dodge the Rule 5 draft, Miller’s journey has been a rocky one, plagued by injuries that sidelined him for much of 2025 and the start of 2026. But there’s a glimmer of hope as he embarks on a rehab assignment, pitching two scoreless innings for Single-A Lakeland this Tuesday.
And then there’s Jackson Jobe, the former No. 1 prospect, who was seen tossing a bullpen session at Tropicana Field ahead of the Tigers’ matchup against the Rays. It’s a significant step for Jobe, who’s about a year out from Tommy John surgery. While he’s not quite ready to rejoin the team, his rehab in Lakeland has been progressing smoothly, and this session was a chance for coaches to see his progress firsthand.
The Tigers remain optimistic about Jobe’s return later this summer. Depending on how the trade deadline shakes out, Jobe could be a pivotal addition to the rotation, offering a much-needed boost as the season progresses.