Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez accepted responsibility for a positive marijuana test in 2023, which barred him from competing in the upcoming World Baseball Classic in his native Puerto Rico.
“Honestly, I don’t want to point fingers at anybody, because this is all my fault,” Baez said in his first public comments on the suspension on Tuesday at the Tigers’ spring training camp in Lakeland, Fla. “I’m the one that failed the test, and the rules are there.”
Baez, 33, tested positive for the substance on March 12, 2023. The three-time All-Star received a two-year ban from World Baseball Softball Confederation events that began on April 26, 2024, and will last until April 26, 2026.
The 2026 WBC runs from March 5-17.
Major League Baseball has permitted marijuana use since the 2020 season, so Baez will not face any discipline from the league or the Tigers.
“There’s one job that I have to do: Play baseball,” Baez said. “I don’t know if they didn’t want me in the WBC or whatever, but it’s just really frustrating that I won’t be able to be there and to be part of this.
“It’s been a long, long time (since) we played this tournament in Puerto Rico, and when we did, I think in 2006, I was in the stands as a fan,” he added. “To have the chance to be part of that and now it’s away from me, it really hurts. It really hurts my family, my reputation. But it’s part of it.”
Baez said he worked out in the offseason to play in the WBC for Team Puerto Rico, as he did in 2017 and 2013. Though “frustrated” not living out a dream to play for his country in Puerto Rico, Baez said it’s “time to turn the page” and focus on spring training and preparing for the MLB season.
“Honestly, I understand the rules,” Baez said. “The rules are not for us. It’s for different sports. It’s not like I was taking steroids or anything to last longer, whatever. They (made) that decision. I’m fine with it. I mean, I’m not fine with it. I just keep my mouth shut.”
Baez was an All-Star last season when he batted .257 with 12 homers and 57 RBIs in 126 games. He won a Silver Slugger for National League second baseman in 2018 and a Gold Glove for NL shortstops in 2020, both with the Chicago Cubs.
He is a career .252 hitter with 193 home runs and 685 RBIs in 1,348 regular-season games with the Cubs (2014-21), New York Mets (2021) and Tigers (2022-present). He won the World Series with the Cubs in 2016.
