Tigers' Báez carted off field with apparent leg injury

Detroit Tigers center fielder Javier Báez was carted off the field with an apparent leg 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.

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

The 33-year-old 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.