BOSTON — Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez tracked a checked-swing blooper into shallow left field with runners on the corners and two outs in the second inning. He chased it down and extended into ...

DETROIT -- A year ago at this time, many suggested it might be time for the Detroit Tigers to cut Javier Báez a check and move on after back-to-back terrible seasons and a potentially serious surgery.

Javier Báez came to Detroit as a two-time All-Star, a Gold Glove winner, the spark plug known as “El Mago” who helped the Chicago Cubs shake off a century of futility to win a championship in 2016. In ...