LAKELAND, Fla. — Javier Báez revealed his profound disappointment Tuesday after a Detroit Tigers practice, explaining how missing the chance to represent Puerto Rico in this year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) weighs heavily on him. The tournament is being held in Puerto Rico for the first time since 2013, and Báez called the suspension that prevents him from playing “heartbreaking,” highlighting how much playing for his island and in front of home fans means to him. His connection to the WBC carries deep personal significance as a Puerto Rican native and passionate competitor.
Reason Behind the Suspension and Its Impact
Báez was suspended for two years, from 2024 through 2026, after testing positive for marijuana following the 2023 WBC. Although marijuana is not prohibited by Major League Baseball, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), which governs the WBC, classifies it as a banned substance. Neither MLB nor the players association succeeded in overturning the ban, leaving Báez sidelined from participating.
The player acknowledged full responsibility for the violation, saying,
“Honestly, I don’t want to point fingers toward anybody because it’s all my fault,”
and
“I’m the one who failed the test. There is one job I have to do and that’s play baseball. I don’t know if they didn’t want me to play in the WBC or whatever but it’s really frustrating I’m not able to be there and be a part of this.”
Connection to Puerto Rico and Personal Loss
Báez has a long-standing relationship with Team Puerto Rico, having participated in the 2017 and 2023 WBC tournaments. Beyond his professional involvement, his ties to Puerto Rico run deep, highlighted by a treasured childhood memory of watching his uncle pitch for Puerto Rico against the Dominican Republic in 2006. The suspension has not only denied him a spot on the team but also affected his family’s pride and his personal reputation.
He shared poignantly,
“I had a chance to be part of that and now it’s (taken) away,”
and
“It really hurts. It really hurts my family and my reputation. But it’s all part of it.”
Báez Chooses Candidness Over Prepared Statements
After the suspension announcement last month, Báez initially refrained from issuing a formal statement, preferring to express his feelings in his own words later. On Tuesday, he emphasized his conflicted emotions, saying,
“They made the decision and I’m fine with it — well, I’m not fine with it,”
but added that he preferred to remain silent publicly to avoid misinterpretations.
He further remarked on the widespread frustration,
“There’s a lot of people mad. There’s a lot of people frustrated. But it doesn’t hurt (anyone) more than it hurts me. But it’s time to turn the page and get ready for the season.”
Turning Setback Into Preparation for Upcoming Season
Despite the disappointment, Báez has directed his frustration into intensive offseason training, allowing him to enter spring training physically ahead of schedule. Initially preparing for the WBC, Báez now focuses fully on the upcoming major league season. He noted,
“I’ve got a long season to go and I’ve got to prepare for that. I was working out to be ready for the WBC. So now, just focus on spring training and being ready for the season.”
During workouts with the Tigers, Báez has primarily worked drills at shortstop and taken on a mentorship role with prospect Kevin McGonigle. He has also demonstrated versatility by practicing in center field and even took initiative to practice third base recently without being prompted.
Manager Highlights Báez’s Leadership and Versatility
Tigers manager AJ Hinch emphasized Báez’s importance to the team, acknowledging his willingness to contribute in various ways as a strong example for teammates. Hinch stated,
“His approach to contributing in a variety of ways has been a very big example for our guys. We need him to be himself and we’ll figure out a plan for him to get comfortable at a couple of different positions.”
Recap of Báez’s Recent Performance and Recovery
At 33 years old, Báez earned a spot as the American League’s starting center fielder in the All-Star Game, marking his first All-Star selection since 2019. The achievement came after recovering from major hip surgery during the offseason. Although the surgery eventually contributed to physical fatigue in the season’s second half, Báez maintained a positive outlook on his condition and rehabilitation.
He explained,
“Yeah, after the first half I got a little tired from the surgery. It wasn’t really bothering me. I could play.”
This fatigue correlated with a dip in offensive numbers, declining from a .275 batting average and .752 OPS before the break to .223 and .548 after. However, during the playoffs, Báez found renewed energy and emotional focus, stating,
“Once we got to the playoffs, the emotion and the energy, everything went back up and I got through it. After the season, I got my rest but we kept working with the same plan, really attacking the rehab stuff.”
Currently, he reports feeling “really, really good.”
Optimism About Team Improvements and Future Prospects
Báez expressed enthusiasm about the Tigers’ offseason acquisitions, including elite pitchers Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander, and Kenley Jansen, as positive steps toward building a stronger roster. He noted the team’s ongoing efforts to improve year after year, saying,
“Every year we try to do something better and get better as a team and an organization. I think we have been preparing for this moment since I got here. … I think they put us in a spot to go even farther than last year.”
