Detroit Tigers: Miguel Cabrera participated in pre-game workout on Friday
By Matt Snyder
Injured first baseman Miguel Cabrera participated in some pre-game activities on Friday night. He’s on the disabled list with a strained groin muscle.
The Detroit Tigers got some encouraging news on injured slugger Miguel Cabrera on Friday night. The All-Star first baseman was able to participate on the field before the game with some running and batting practice.
Evan Woodbery of MLive passed along the report on Twitter.
Miguel Cabrera did some light running and took about 20 minutes of BP today. Still feeling good and on pace for May 2nd return.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) April 28, 2017
The Tigers can’t afford to let the injury linger long into the season, so the fact that Cabrera’s already feeling good enough for some activity is a good sign. He’ll have three more days of rest before he’s eligible to return from the disabled list.
J.D. Martinez is still hoping to return from the disabled list in early May which could put the Tigers’ batting lineup at full strength for the first time all season. Martinez was expected to participate in an extended spring training game on Friday but confirmation of that has not yet surfaced.
The Tigers have gotten surprising production from John Hicks and Jim Adduci who’ve had to fill in for the Tigers’ myriad injured starters (Jose Iglesias is back and JaCoby Jones is also on the road to recovery), but neither should be expected to produce at even an average level with the bat going forward.
If the Tigers are going to compete for a playoff position down the stretch, they’re going to need be at full strength for most of the remaining season. They don’t have the depth to contend with many more extended absences.
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Cabrera was hitting .268/.369/.464 with three home runs in 65 plate appearances before his injury.