Incredibly enough, Báez is currently a 19-12 team’s best option at shortstop, third base and in center field. The 350-foot homer off AJ Blubaugh was his first of the year, but he’s batting .296/.337/.407 while mostly playing center right now.

The versatile 32-year-old opened the scoring in the ballgame with a two-out, two-run double off of Dean Kremer in the second inning. Báez then drew a walk in the fifth inning and scored on an RBI single by Gleyber Torres. He also led off the seventh inning with a single, swiped second base and raced around to score on a two-run double by Torres. Báez has taken over as the Tigers’ regular center fielder and is slashing a respectable .301/.346/.370 with zero homers, seven RBI and one stolen base.

Báez, who is batting .268/.305/.321 in 59 plate appearances, started some in center in the spring, and he’s played eight innings there in three appearances this season. He’s mostly played third lately, but the Tigers have decided to give Jace Jung a look there now.

It seems that Baez will be the primary starter at third base for Detroit with Andy Ibañez starting against lefties. Considering Baez is also mixing in at shortstop against left-handed pitching, he is playing close to every day for the Tigers of late.