Javier Baez after benching: 'I've got no excuses'

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez will be back in the lineup on Friday for the series opener against the San Francisco Giants at Comerica Park.

But consider his benching on Thursday a message sent.

“If you watch the last couple of series, we’ve made a number of mental mistakes, and the one thing we can control is our preparedness and our readiness,” Hinch told the Associated Press and other outlets in Toronto after the game. “It’s a message to our whole team that we’ve got to clean that up.”

Baez hit a one-out double in the second inning, his first extra-base hit in 45 plate appearances this season. The next batter, Akil Baddoo, lined a ball to center field.

Baez, believing there were two outs, kept running and was easily doubled up at second base.

Television feeds showed Baez and Hinch emerging from the dugout tunnel after a conversation. Shortly thereafter, Jonathan Schoop entered the game in Baez’s place.

Baez said he had no problem with Hinch’s decision.

“Obviously we’ve got to show respect to the game,” Báez told the AP and other outlets. “He took a decision and I respect that. He’s the manager and we’ve got to respect what he does.”

The baserunning blunder came in the midst of teamwide and personal struggles for Baez. The Tigers had lost six in a row until Thursday’s win and Baez has started the season hitting just .122 (5-for-41).

“My mind is everywhere right now,” Báez said. “I’m just trying to focus on my hitting and my timing and other stuff.”

“Anybody can make mistakes. At this point, the way we’re playing and the way I’m playing, it’s obviously going to be worse. If I’m hot and I have seven homers and I make that same mistake, I would have stayed in the game. I’ve got no excuses. It’s just part of the game.”

Baez’s gaffe wasn’t the first of the series, but rather a culmination of mistakes. A day earlier, outfielder Matt Vierling didn’t slide into second base on a steal attempt and was called out.

“I don’t want to embarrass anybody,” Hinch said. “I don’t want to lessen our bench. I don’t want to take out one of our starters. He’s a premium player. But I also don’t want to see a team make mental mistakes.”

The Tigers did go on to beat the Jays 3-1 on Thursday.

The Tigers open a six-game homestand with a three-game interleague series against the San Francisco Giants (5-7) on Friday at 6:40 p.m.