Tigers' Báez carted off field with ankle injury

Detroit Tigers center fielder Javier Báez was carted off the field with an ankle injury in the fifth inning of Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves.

Báez tried to avoid a collision with Braves first baseman Matt Olson while running down the line on a groundout to shortstop. As he went to duck past Olson and attempt a slide, he slipped across the bag and his right leg turned under him. He needed help walking to the cart after being examined by trainers.

Fortunately for Báez and the Tigers, his status improved postgame. The 33-year-old is scheduled to undergo further testing Wednesday.

"I got a little treatment. I feel much better than after it happened with all the treatment I got here," Báez said after his team's 5-2 loss, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. "We're set up to get an MRI tomorrow. We'll see what's going to happen. I can put pressure on my ankle now. It's feeling better."

Wenceel Pérez replaced Báez in the bottom of the fifth. He took over in right field, while Matt Vierling moved from right to center.

Báez has become a valuable utility piece for the Tigers, starting games at three different positions this year. He's hitting .256/.280/.397 with two homers and six RBIs over 82 plate appearances.

Báez's exit came two innings after Tigers starter Casey Mize was removed from the game with what the team called right groin tightness. Mize hurt himself while fielding a ground ball in the third inning and left the game without throwing a warmup pitch.

Mize will also have an MRI on Wednesday.

"I feel pretty good about things - as good as you can," Mize said. "We'll know more after we get a picture taken. The tests we've done so far seem pretty positive, but tomorrow we'll have literally a much clearer picture on what we're looking at."