Javier Báez addresses WBC suspension for marijuana: ‘I’m the one that failed the test’ – The New York Times
MLB
Javier Báez will miss the WBC due to a failed drug test in 2023. Junfu Han / USA Today Network via Imagn Images
LAKELAND, Fla. — Well before he was a major-league All-Star, Javier Báez watched World Baseball Classic games from the stands at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico. The island hosted WBC games in 2006, 2009 and 2013. This year, the WBC is returning to Puerto Rico, but Báez is among many Puerto Rican stars who will not be there.
Advertisement
Insurance issues have plagued the island’s roster. Báez, though, will not play in the WBC because of a positive test for marijuana in 2023. Báez failed a drug screen during that year’s World Baseball Classic. The resulting suspension made him ineligible for play in World Baseball Softball Confederation events for two years, beginning April 26, 2024, and ending April 26, 2026.
MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association worked together to restore Báez’s eligibility for this year’s World Baseball Classic, but league sources indicated the WBSC and International Testing Agency were unwilling to bend.
Tuesday at Joker Marchant Stadium, Báez addressed his suspension for the first time.
“I don’t want to point fingers (at) anybody because this is all my fault,” Báez said. “I’m the one that failed the test … I don’t know if they didn’t want me in the WBC or whatever. It’s just really frustrating that I won’t be able to be there and be able to be part of this. … To have the chance to be part of that, and now it’s (taken) away from me, it really hurts. It really hurts my family, my reputation.”
Báez, who has a Puerto Rican flag tattooed on one of his arms, played for Team Puerto Rico in both 2017 and 2023.
MLB has allowed marijuana use since 2020, meaning Báez did not break any MLB rules and will not face discipline from the league.
“Honestly, I understand the rules,” Báez said. “The rules are not for us. It’s for different sports. It’s not like I was taking steroids or anything to last longer, whatever. They (made) that decision. I’m fine with it. I mean, I’m not fine with it. I just keep my mouth shut.”
At the time his suspension became public, Báez and his representatives considered putting out a statement. They decided against it. Báez said he did not want anyone to misinterpret his words. He did not want anyone to edit a graphic for use on the internet. The WBC is deeply personal to Báez and his home.
Advertisement
“It’s different when you feel something,” he said. “There’s a lot of people mad, there’s a lot of people frustrated, but it doesn’t hurt more than it hurts me.”
Talking Tuesday afternoon, Báez wore orange Oakley sunglasses as his voice turned emotional.
“It’s time to turn the page and just get ready for the season and try to stay healthy,” he said.
On the field with the Detroit Tigers, Báez enters this spring in a vastly different space than one year ago. Back then, he was fighting for his career, returning from right hip surgery and desperate to prove he had something left in the tank. He signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Tigers before the 2022 season and endured three disappointing seasons. While last year was riddled with many of the same highs and lows that have defined Báez’s career, it was more positive than anyone on the outside could have expected.
The Tigers faced injury woes at the end of camp last spring, opening up a path for Báez to play outfield in addition to his usual shortstop position. Achieving a lifelong dream of playing center field, Báez thrived in May. He hit two home runs, one an exhilarating walk-off to beat the Red Sox. He hit a home run and robbed a home run in the same game at Angel Stadium.
Still a player with an enormous brand, he dominated fan voting and started the All-Star Game in center field.
Báez, though, regressed mightily as the season went along. He hit .199 over a 55-game stretch from June 25 to Sept. 21. Still, in typical Báez fashion, with his playing time severely diminished for most of September, he summoned his best when it counted most. Báez helped stop the Tigers’ near-disastrous late-season slide, recording six hits in his final four regular-season games and hitting .313 with a home run in October.
On the night the Tigers clinched the postseason, Báez partied amidst his teammates and exclaimed: “I’m going back to the playoffs.”
Advertisement
The player who won a World Series with the Chicago Cubs and signed with the Tigers, hoping to be part of a rapid ascent — then missed the team’s 2024 playoff run as he recovered from surgery — now enters camp as part of a team built to win. The Tigers added Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander to a rotation that could be among MLB’s best.
“I think we have been preparing for this moment since I got here,” Báez said.
This season, Báez again expects to roam around the field. Tuesday, he noticed no one was at third base during morning infield drills. He took it upon himself to walk over to the hot corner and take grounders.
“His presence matters,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said, “and his approach to contributing in a variety of ways has been a very big example for our guys. He needs to be himself. We got to figure out a plan to get him comfortable at a couple different positions and see where his contribution will be.”
This spring, Báez is watching as shortstop Kevin McGonigle, a top prospect, knocks on the door of the major leagues. Mostly quiet and to himself, Báez has thought back to his younger days in the Cubs system and the veteran players who helped him feel comfortable. Alfonso Soriano. Starlin Castro. Miguel Montero. Now 33 years old, Báez has a better idea than ever of how he can impact others.
“Being a big prospect, it was kind of a big deal back in the day,” Báez said. “I didn’t want to feel like that. I wanted to feel like just another part of the organization. They really helped me with that. If I can help players and make them loose, to be their self, I’m always open to help.”
Báez’s career has never been one to feature dull moments. It’s hard for anyone to say what 2026 might have in store.
Báez says he is entering camp fully ramped up and ready to go. He trained like that all offseason for a reason. He hoped to play in the WBC.
“It really frustrates me,” Báez said. “One of my dreams, or any of my teammates from Puerto Rico, is to play in Puerto Rico, for Team Puerto Rico. Our families are there. Our fans. Our country or our island. It’s just frustrating.”
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today's puzzle
Cody Stavenhagen is a senior writer covering the Detroit Tigers and Major League Baseball for The Athletic. Previously, he covered Michigan football at The Athletic and Oklahoma football and basketball for the Tulsa World, where he was named APSE Beat Writer of the Year for his circulation group in 2016. He is a native of Amarillo, Texas. Follow Cody on Twitter @CodyStavenhagen