Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch and shortstop Javier Báez generally seem to enjoy a good relationship together. They even spent a few days together at Báez’s home in Puerto Rico over the offseason to get to know each other better outside of the clubhouse. With five years left on Báez’s contract unless he opts-out this offseason, the two know they need to understand and trust each other to get the best out of the relationship.
So don’t expect long lasting repercussions after Hinch benched Báez for his baserunning during Thursday’s contest with the Blue Jays in Toronto.