CLEVELAND -- Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez has been scratched from Tuesday’s starting lineup due to neck stiffness.
Trey Sweeney will take his spot, batting ninth against Cleveland right-hander Gavin Williams.
The move was announced about 45 minutes before the first pitch.
The Detroit Tigers (85-71) play the Cleveland Guardians (84-72) on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. at Progressive Field in a series that could settle the American League Central.
Baez had been in the starting lineup for four straight games after missing several starts following a strange play on Sept. 12 in which he fouled a ball off his forehead, causing a visible bump and swelling and, later, two shiners under his eyes.
With the left-handed Sweeney in the lineup, Zach McKinstry, also a left-handed hitter, moved up to