Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera exited Friday's game against the Chicago White Sox with a back injury. It is unclear when he will be able to return.
Continue for updates.
Cabrera Listed as Day-to-Day
Friday, June 3
Per the Tigers' official Twitter account, Cabrera was taken out of the game with lower-back tightness and is officially day-to-day.
Cabrera headed to the disabled list for the first time in his career in 2015. He played in just 119 games—his fewest since his rookie season in 2003. His performance at the plate didn't suffer, though, as the two-time MVP led the league with a .338 batting average to go along with 18 home runs, 76 RBI and a .534 slugging percentage.
Still, the timing of Cabrera's calf problem wasn't all that great for the Tigers. The massive eight-year extension Cabrera signed with Detroit wasn't even in effect at that point. The deal began with the start of the 2016 season, and he's due to earn $248 million through 2023 with $30 million options for 2024 and 2025, per Cot's Baseball Contracts.
Even when it was signed, the contract looked quizzical at best, and it's only getting worse with Cabrera starting to look his age (33) and signed for at least the next seven years.
This is also the second time the right-handed slugger went down injured in 2016. He suffered a bruised knee after Tampa Bay Rays reliever Dana Eveland hit him with a pitch on May 22:
It goes without saying the Tigers don't have a replacement who can deliver anything close to what Cabrera—one of his generation's best hitters—can at the plate.
Manager Brad Ausmus could potentially move Victor Martinez to first base, but that would leave the team without a designated hitter, forcing one of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Mike Aviles or Andrew Romine into the lineup.
With the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians setting the pace in the American League Central, the Tigers need Cabrera back as soon as possible to remain in the hunt for the playoffs.
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