Javier Báez did not finish Thursday’s game against the Blue Jays after the Tigers shortstop was benched following a lackluster performance on his first at-bat.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch elected to sit Báez, who entered the matchup in the midst of a horrible hitting slump, after the second inning due to a string of baserunning mistakes during his first plate appearance, according to Chris McCoskey of The Detroit News.
Báez stepped to the plate looking to get off to a strong start after leadoff hitter Spencer Torkelson struck out. On the third pitch of his at-bat, Báez recorded a double for his first extra-base hit of the season, but the former All-Star drew criticism after he got a late start out of the box while watching the ball hit off the top of the left-field wall.
