Hinch Benches Three Stars After Tigers’ Tough Loss, Fans Fume
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch didn’t hold back. After a 4-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox in Wednesday’s Spring Training game, he called out three star players—Javier Báez, Spencer Torkelson, and Riley Greene—for their lackluster play. “I’m disappointed,” Hinch said post-game. “We expect more from our big guys, and they didn’t deliver.” His fix? Benching them for Friday’s matchup against the Yankees. Fans aren’t happy, and the move’s already stirring debate.
The Red Sox game was a mess. Báez, the $140 million shortstop, went 0-for-4, striking out twice and botching a double play that let two runs score. Torkelson, at first base, misread a line drive, turning a single into a double—Boston cashed in. Greene, in center, swung at junk pitches, finishing 1-for-5 with three strikeouts. The trio’s woes helped Boston’s six-run fifth inning bury Detroit. “We can’t win when our core stumbles like that,” Hinch told reporters, voice steady but firm.
Hinch’s call to sit them isn’t permanent—just a “reset,” he says. “They’re stars for a reason, but accountability matters. We’re eight days from Opening Day.” Báez is hitting .205 this spring, Torkelson’s at .297 but sloppy in the field, and Greene’s .250 average hides his plate discipline dip. With the Tigers at 9-11 in camp, Hinch wants a spark before facing the Dodgers on March 27. “We’re building something,” he added. “This isn’t punishment—it’s a wake-up.”
Fans on X exploded. “Benching Báez? Hinch is clueless—payroll doesn’t sit!” one raged. Another fumed, “Tork and Greene are our future—why kill their confidence?” A third defended Hinch: “Tough love worked in Houston. Trust him.” Detroit’s 78-84 finish last year and ALDS exit still sting—supporters expected a hot spring, not this. Replacing the trio Friday are Zach McKinstry, Andy Ibáñez, and Parker Meadows, all scrappy but unproven.
Hinch’s history backs his gamble. He turned the Astros into champs in 2017 (pre-scandal) and dragged Detroit from 66-96 in 2021 to the playoffs by 2024. He’s not shy about bold moves—last week, he shifted Torkelson to right field (web ID: 0). “I’ll do what it takes,” Hinch said then. Báez, Torkelson, and Greene stayed quiet tonight, but a clubhouse source hinted they’re “frustrated but focused.”
Opening Day looms, and this shake-up’s a test. Can Hinch rally his stars—or will fan outrage grow if the Yankees game flops? After 2024’s late surge, Detroit’s hungry for wins, not drama. Hinch’s betting on tough love to light the fire. Eight days will show if he’s right.
