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The Detroit Tigers “kind of went crazy” when Javy Báez walked into the clubhouse

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The Detroit Tigers “kind of went crazy” when Javy Báez walked into the clubhouse

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Javier Báez surprised his Detroit Tigers teammates when he walked into the clubhouse at Progressive Field on Monday before Game 2 of the ALDS in Cleveland.

“I saw him come in, and I mean, everyone in the training room kind of went crazy, just him coming in,” Matt Vierling said. “Everyone loves Javy. You know, he's a great presence for us. He's a great guy. And to have him there and make the effort to drive over and come to the game, that meant a lot to us.”

Báez, 31, has been on the injured list since August 23 with lumbar spine and hip inflammation. He underwent hip surgery and is out for the season.

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“It's really great to have him around now, partly because of the experience he has in moments like this, but secondly he just captures everyone's mood and everyone loves him,” said Vierling. “It's just great “Having him there and seeing him walk through the door was a good vibe, and just him coming in made it even better.”

Báez was in the Tigers' dugout during Monday's dramatic 3-0 victory over Cleveland, but he wasn't wearing a uniform.

Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Báez will be in Detroit for Game 3.

“Javy came (Monday),” Hinch said. “He made his way back. He was in Puerto Rico taking care of some family matters and then came back, flew to Detroit, drove there yesterday with his family, and now he's back in Detroit and will be here tomorrow.

“He was in constant contact with us,” Hinch added.

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Hinch doesn't give a hand because of the pitching

Who will pitch for the Tigers in Game 3 on Wednesday?

Hinch said he wasn't sure while speaking to reporters Tuesday.

“We’re going to talk about it today,” Hinch said. “I'm going to talk to (pitching coach Chris Fetter) and the rest of our group today and we're going to come up with a plan for how we're going to start our pitching.”

Hinch said he would brief Cleveland on Tuesday evening.

“So they can build their lineup and also their strategy,” Hinch said. “We just haven’t come to that determination yet. We have a lot of options.”

Everyone except Tarik Skubal and Reese Olson will be available.

“A lot of our guys can do a lot,” Hinch said. “Every decision I make in Game 3 will affect availability in Game 4. But this time of year guys are more available than in the regular season. So if someone throws 30 to 40 throws, they're available the next day. If someone hits 60, 70 or 80, like Reese did the other day, then they have the natural five-day rest period.”

According to Cleveland's Steven Kwan, the uncertainty is “definitely different” for the Tigers.

“Obviously we game plan to start with,” Kwan said, “and then the second and third time you kind of get a feel for it. “But since it's a new arm every time, it's different.”

That’s the idea behind HInch’s “pitching chaos.”

“Luckily, we’ve faced these guys before,” Kwan said. “I think if it was outside the division it would be a little harder to see these guys in these high leverage games for the first time. But (we) saw some of these guys in the lower leagues as well, which is really fortunate for us. Yes, it's definitely unique, but we have a good game plan.

Contact Jeff Seidel: [email protected]. Follow him on X @seideljeff. To read his latest columns, go to freep.com/sports/jeff-seidel.

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