Tigers' Báez ejected for arguing questionable strike 3 call
Detroit Tigers outfielder Javier Báez was ejected in the fifth inning of Monday's game against the San Francisco Giants for arguing a called third strike.
Javier Baez let the ump have it after this strike three call and he was promptly ejected pic.twitter.com/HwBfdjtulB
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 26, 2025
Báez was rung up for strike three by home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi on a ball that clearly was outside the zone. The 32-year-old was quickly ejected after taking issue with the call and had to be restrained by teammate Gleyber Torres and third base coach Joey Cora. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch also gave Cuzzi an earful before heading back to the dugout.
"I only said, 'I'm looking for that pitch. It's not a f-----g strike.' That's the only thing I said," Báez said of the exchange postgame, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free-Press.
"And then (Cuzzi) said, 'Don't point at it. Walk out.' And then I said, 'What do you mean, walk out? I'm asking you something,' and then he just threw me out."
Báez has enjoyed a resurgent offensive season for the Tigers. He's slashing .286/.321/.468 with six home runs and 29 RBIs in 45 games.