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Miguel Cabrera To Be Limited In Spring Training After Biceps Surgery

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Tigers plan on watching slugger Miguel Cabrera closely during spring training after biceps surgery.

 

Detroit Tigers v Toronto Blue Jays
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 9: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers warms up during batting practice before the start of MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 9, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

 

Manager Ron Gardenhire plans to check in regularly with Cabrera to determine his availability when Grapefruit League exhibition games begin in February. There's no plan yet as to how much action the two-time AL MVP might see at first base.

"He's going to play one day a week, two days," Gardenhire said Wednesday at the winter meetings. "We're just going to let it all play out and see how he feels when he gets there and see how healthy he is. He's doing good right now, which is a good sign for us."

 

Detroit Tigers v Kansas City Royals
KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 3: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers sits in the dugout as he watches a game against the Kansas City Royals in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium on May 3, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

 

Cabrera ruptured his left biceps tendon in mid-June. Gardenhire has no plans of rushing back Cabrera, even if the rebuilding Tigers could use his powerful bat in the middle of the order.

The plan as of now? There isn't one — just constant communication between Gardenhire, Cabrera and certainly the medical staff to evaluate what Cabrera can do on the field and at the plate.

 

Detroit Tigers v Chicago White Sox
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 05: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers points to where he hurt himself after tripping and falling while running between first and second base to manager Ron Gardenhire #15 in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox during the Opening Day home game at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 5, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

 

"The best thing for me to do with Miggy is, by the time we get to spring training, see how he's feeling and go day by day with him throughout the course of spring, giving him enough work and letting him get things," Gardenhire said. "And we'll figure it out as we go along."

 

Baltimore Orioles v Detroit Tigers
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 17: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers waits to bat in the first inning while playing the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park on April 17, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

 

Cabrera has been determined to show he's still a dangerous hitter. He had three home runs in 38 games and didn't play after June 12 because of the left biceps injury.

Turning 36 in April, Cabrera will look to bounce back after his 2017 year was disappointing in another way: just 16 home runs, an unusually low .399 slugging percentage — it had been in the .500-.600s every season but his rookie year — and .249 batting average.

 

Tampa Bay Rays v Detroit Tigers
DETROIT, MI - MAY 01: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers not playing due to injury takes practice swings in the dugout while playing the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park on May 1, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

 

Cabrera received a $292 million, 10-year contract in March 2014 that takes him through at least 2023.

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