Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez To Get First At Bats In Spring Training
By Tony Fischer
Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) smiles from the field before a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Tigers could have the core of their line-up ready for opening day. Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez both played in separate minor league games on Saturday with good result. Cabrera had a pair of singles and Victor Martinez a home run in their first live game action of the spring. The pair weren’t at full speed and did not run but only batted during the outings.
The results were so positive the Tigers sluggers are both penciled in to play DH in split squad games agaisnt the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.
Miguel Cabrera said everything went well today. Hit then ran. Hopes he can play first and not DH to keep ankle loose.
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) March 21, 2015
Victor Martinez is hopeful he can DH tomorrow at Disney. Was pleased with how things went today. Said it went even better than anticipated.
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) March 21, 2015
Manager Brad Ausmus was so pleased the band could be back together for opening day he was ready to start marching down Woodward.
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"“I’m not ready to throw a parade,” Ausmus said. “They’ve still got to be fine in the morning. If they DH tomorrow, they’ve got to be fine on Monday. There’s a little bit of a ways to go before Miggy is in the field. There’s little things, like sliding.“It’s good that they’re able to partake in the games, but this does not mean come April 6 they’ll be ready.”"
They both have a long way to go but it is a great sign that today went better than expected. Now it comes down to whether or not either player experiences any pain on Sunday morning. If you ask the players they are ready to go full speed now. As the next week unfolds we will learn just how ready they are as they gradually increase their baseball activity.