Miguel Cabrera took batting practice, ground balls at first, and ran the bases on Wednesday before the Detroit Tigers defeated the Kansas City Royals. The 10-time All-Star should be activated from the disabled list on Friday, according to Chris Iott of MLive.
“He said he feels good today after the running yesterday,” manager Brad Ausmus said before Wednesday's game. “We’ll have him run again today. He’s got the off day tomorrow. There’s a possibility that he will be ready Friday.”
The slugger, who has been on the disabled list since July 4th with a grade three calf strain, should get the start on Friday against the Houston Astros.
The right-handed hitter will not play as an everyday first baseman during the start of his comeback. Cabrera will make four-to-five starts per week, which will allow him to transition to an everyday starter once again.
“The only thing I’m worried about is the first step,” Ausmus said of Cabrera returning to first base. "First step laterally for a ground ball or coming out of the box hard. Even kind of rounding first and realizing you might be able to reach second and, all of a sudden, you turn the afterburners on.”
Cabrera will not need a rehab assignment because of his success while training for his comeback, as George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press wrote.
“Gotta make a decision,” Cabrera said. “I’m feeling good.”
The 32-year-old is needed in the Tigers lineup as soon as possible since general manager Al Avila believes this team can still make the playoffs. Cabrera would increase those playoff chances by making his return to the lineup as soon as possible.
The Tigers have an extra reliever, who would probably be sent down to Triple-A Toledo instead of current first baseman Jefry Marte. Marte can also be used as a third baseman to give Nick Castellanos a day off.
Marte has earned his spot as a bench player once Cabrera returns. Over the last seven days, the rookie is hitting .333 with six hits, two doubles, one home run, one RBI, one walk and two runs scored.
“More recently, he’s been more consistent hitting, so we’ve played him (against right-handers),” Ausmus said. “He’s still learning to play first base."
“Certainly, his playing time would take a hit. But he’s a good power threat off the bench.”
Another player used at first base has been Alex Avila, which gave James McCann the starting catcher role in 14 of the last 16 games played. Avila's playing time will be sliced once Cabrera comes back because Detroit needs the bat of McCann in the lineup.
“James is doing a pretty good job,” said Ausmus. “He’s getting and probably will continue to get the bulk of the playing time.”
The rookie, McCann, is slashing .281/.313/.419 with five home runs and 26 RBI over 79 games played. Avila is slashing .178/.319/.267 with three home runs and 11 RBI over 49 games played. There is an obvious upgrade with the bat when it comes to McCann, which is what will keep him in the starting lineup.
Hitting .350/.456/.578 with 15 homers and 54 RBI, Cabrera will make his return sooner than later. The veteran has only played in 77 games this season and will attempt to be around 25 homers and 80 RBI by the end of the season. Cabrera's power was down most the season before hitting the disabled list, so he will try and recover his feared home run hitting.
Cabrera is a two-time American League Most Valuable Player, a three-time American League batting title winner, the 2012 American League Triple Crown winner, and a five-time Silver Slugger award winner.